Senior Conferences:  Senior Individual Work Session with your School Counselor: (September- Throughout Fall):

• Seniors will schedule individual appointments to meet with your School Counselor for your individual Senior Conference. During this conference, your School Counselor will meet with you to review your transcript, discuss your post-secondary plans,  review the college application process, review requirements, review college lists that students have compiled, review different parts of the Common Application and much more.  THIS IS A WORK SESSION! Students should bring their Chromebook and be able to access their Common Application account. Seniors will schedule individual appointments to meet with their School Counselor. This is a work session.  During this Senior meeting, Counselors discuss student’s post-secondary plans, review the college application process, review requirements, and review College List with each student that students have compiled.

College Profile Survey: Please complete your College Profile Survey in Naviance. Your College Profile Survey is required in order for your counselor to write your letter of recommendation. Please complete this survey prior to your individual Senior meeting with your counselor. 

Campus Tours/Campus Visits: Students/Parents Explore Colleges/Universities- Visit College Campuses of Interest: Students/Parents Continue to explore colleges by registering for visits and information sessions. Make appointments with the Admissions Office or register  on-line through the College/University.

Emails & College Portal Accounts: Remember to check your email, create your college portal accounts and check your college portals regularly as this is how most colleges communicate and send application status updates.  If you have any questions, please contact your School Counselor.

The Common Application: OPENED AUGUST 1 for the new Senior Class.( Common App announces the essay prompts. See  LINK for the Common App essays Prompts):

• Create your Common Application Account at  www.commonapp.org and begin completing the Common App general application (If you haven’t already). After you have decided which colleges to apply to, then you can add them to your My Colleges list on the Common App and be ready to submit. When creating your Common Application account, his account must be registered with your student's email account and not a parent’s email account. 

• Refer to MHS Common Application FAQ

Stay Focused on Academics: Maintain your Academic Record: 

• Fall: Senior Initial Transcripts : Will be sent to the  Colleges you are applying to by the Counseling Department.  As a reminder,  Junior year is the last full year of courses and final grades that will appear on Senior Initial Transcripts that go out with your college applications.  Your transcript will also include your Senior year Courses in progress.

• It is important to  remain focused on your academic success!

Fall Semester is the College Application Period: Some deadlines for Colleges do go into the Spring Semester. Timelines for the college application process/deadlines vary depending on the deadlines that Colleges provide (ie- early decision; early action; etc.). Check your college applications deadlines and update Naviance so that MHS is aware of your application deadlines! 

College Application Deadlines & Reminders: 

• Please review & confirm your College Application Deadlines in Naviance:  If you have a change of deadline date or you add a new College/University,  it must be placed in Naviance no later than 3 weeks prior to the application deadline date.  Additionally, please inform your School Counselor if you add a new College/University to your list in Naviance.

Keep Naviance Up To Date:  Make sure your “Colleges I’m Applying To” list in Naviance is accurate and up to date - that your list includes all of the colleges you are applying to with the correct deadline dates.  This is to ensure that your school documents (e.g., transcript, letters of recommendation) are submitted on time.

• Submit all required College Admissions Documentation in time to reach the colleges by deadline dates:

  • If applying Early Decision; Early Action: Note deadlines

  • Check in with your School Counselor to make sure all your application documentation is complete.

The Self-Reported Transcript and Academic Record System (STARS) (formerly SSAR/SRAR): A platform that allows students to submit their academic history directly to participating colleges and universities. Through STARS, you can report: The schools you’ve attended; Your courses and grades; In-progress or planned coursework. Certain Colleges require the STARS to be completed. Please refer to the STARS Site for more information about the STARS and requirements.

• Please be aware that the following colleges listed in the link below will require you to fill out a STARS ( Self-reported Transcript and Academic Record System) Record Form in addition to the Common Application as part of their college application.    STARS RECORD College List

• You only need to complete the STARS Record form once and then you can link it to the specific college(s) that requires it.  

• Most colleges will send you an e-mail asking you to create a portal account where this STARS link can be found.

• Make sure that you complete the STARS per the college application deadline requirement or as communicated to you by the college.

Attend MHS Counseling Department College Programming Events:

• College Essay Writing Workshop in collaboration with the The College Essay Guy™: "How Strategize & Write the Supplemental College Essays" (September): The MHS School Counseling Department is proud to partner with The College Essay Guy™ to host a virtual college essay writing workshop for Senior  students! Led by the College Essay Guy™, this interactive, engaging, and practical workshop is designed to provide students with expert advice in a crash course on strategizing and writing the Supplemental Essays that may be required by many selective universities. Supplemental essays can be just as revealing and important as your personal statement. 

MHS College Mini Fairs (September- December): (For Students): Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays during Lunch Periods: Periods 5-8- College & Career Center-West Office.  Students may attend during lunch, a free period or with prior permission of your teacher. 

MHS Financial Aid Night (September/October): University Representative: Campus Director for Financial Aid:  Guest Presenter.

MHS College Admissions Roundtable Discussion Evening (October): College/University Admissions representatives discussing aspects of the college admissions process. It is a wonderful opportunity to also ask questions. College Admissions Representatives will be on the panel.

Parents Attend: MHS Coffee with Counselors Events: 11th & 12th Grade Parents Only (November)

MHS Alumni Panel Senior Class Event (November-Last Day before Thanksgiving Break) (For Students): During School Day: Periods 3-4

Requesting Teacher Letters of Recommendations: Students will speak to the teachers in person whom they would like to request letters of recommendation. Students must complete and then provide the  “MHS LOR- Letter of Recommendation Request Form” to the teachers they ask to write them a letter of recommendation. Students will receive this LOR form directly from their School Counselor.  *You must allow at least 10 days for your teacher to complete the recommendation. You will include the colleges/universities you are applying to and their application deadlines on this form. NAVIANCE: Request Teacher Letters of Recommendations  through Naviance at least 3 weeks before your deadline date. 

SAT and/or ACT Exams: If you have not yet taken an SAT and/or ACT exam, consider taking one early in your Senior year. You may register for exams at  www.collegeboard.org or actstudent.org.

Reporting/Sending SAT/ACT scores to Universities/Colleges: If planning to report scores, please send your official SAT or ACT scores to your universities/colleges directly through the College Board or ACT. This can be done through  www.collegeboard.org  or  www.act.org.  It is important to know that it can take up to 3 weeks before universities/colleges receive your scores. As such, you can send your scores prior to submitting applications. Please note:

MHS does not send SAT/ACT scores to colleges. 

MHS does not post SAT/ACT or AP Exam scores on the MHS transcript.

FAIR TEST: Test-Optional Colleges/Universities: Colleges have introduced more flexibility and choice in their admissions process by offering "Test Optional" in the application process.For a list of Test-Optional colleges/universities, you can log into: https://fairtest.org/ 

Fee Waivers:  If you receive Free & Reduced Lunch, you may be eligible for a reduced fee for SAT/ACT exams, College Application fees, and College Concurrent Enrollment Application fees.  A "Consent to Release Information" form must be completed. See your School Counselor for information regarding eligibility, fee waivers, and the "Consent to Release Information" form.

College Essays: 

• Students continue to work on their College Essays- Some colleges require more than one.

• Each MHS English 12 course incorporates the common app admissions essay to some degree. It is part of the narrative writing unit in most of the courses.

• Students are encouraged to share their college essays with their Senior English teacher for feedback and support.

• Fall Semester STEP :“College Essay Writing” Course: Students can sign up in STEP for additional support taught by an MHS English teacher. See your School Counselor to be signed up!

Attend College Fairs in the Region: Students & Parents are encouraged to attend college fairs taking place in our Area. Communications sent out to ss/parents of dates/locations early Fall.

• Additionally, please also refer to:  College Fair Guide & NACAC College Fairs (includes virtual college fairs)

Attend Virtual College Fairs: Please also refer to:  College Fair Guide & NACAC College Fairs (includes virtual college fairs)

FINANCIAL AID:

• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA® Form):  ANTICIPATED TO OPEN:  OCTOBER 1

  • Parents/Guardians and Students: For more information regarding the FAFSA Application, please refer to the Federal Student Aid Website: FAFSA HOME

  • Steps you can take to get ready:

    • Create your FAFSA ID: This is required prior to completing the FAFSA. Go to https://studentaid.gov/help/fsa-id. 

    • Visit HESC's Prepare What you Need Page for more information on documentation needed to complete the FAFSA.

    • Reporting Parent Information

  • **Complete your FAFSA as soon as possible to be considered for financial aid!

• Scholarships: Apply for Scholarships! Take note of Deadlines!!

• NYS Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC):  HESC has an unwavering commitment to ensuring New York State students, parents, and academic partners have access to the critical financial aid information, tools, and resources they need to pursue their educational goals.

• Receive Text Messages from HESC: High school students and their parents can sign up to receive text messages from the NYS Higher Education Services Corporation to get connected to the resources they need to prepare for college and apply for financial aid. Text messages include key information about financial aid programs, how to apply, important deadlines, available events to assist students in completing applications, and resources to help put them on the right path toward their college careers. Sign-up is quick and easy at: HESC Text Messaging Registration.  Any questions can be sent to: thepath@hesc.ny.gov. 

(HESC) Higher Education Services Corporation:  Financial Aid  Comparison Tool: Comparing College Award Letters:  HESC has an interactive Financial Aid Award Packages Comparison tool. This tool can help you determine the "bottom line" for each college to which you've applied and received a financial aid award offer.  The college financial aid award letter contains important information about the financial aid package being offered.  Review &  Compare financial aid awards carefully!  

• HESC Financial Aid Opportunities:  Explore all NYS Financial Aid Programs.

New Application Pathway for NYS Financial Aid: New York State continues to take meaningful steps to ensure that all students have access to an affordable, high-quality college education, regardless of their family’s immigration or citizenship status. With a commitment to sensitivity, security, and access, the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) has launched a new application pathway for eligible students who are U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens who do not want to complete a FAFSA due to concerns related to the privacy of their information, but want to apply for New York State financial aid. This application offers a clear and secure pathway for impacted students to access many New York State grants and scholarships, including the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), without requiring them to complete the FAFSA. While this path provides access to many New York State financial aid programs, it’s important to note that students who apply for state-funded financial aid through this path, will not be eligible for the NYS Excelsior Scholarship or the Enhanced Tuition Award (ETA) program, both of which require a completed FAFSA as part of their application process. They will also not be eligible for federal financial aid, including the Pell Grant, Federal Work-Study, and federal student loans, unless they submit a FAFSA. Updated guidance, eligibility criteria, and FAQs are available on the application information page. For additional outreach or questions, please contact HESC at www.hesc.ny.gov.

NYS Scholarships & Grants Opportunities:  Apply for NYS Scholarships & Grants! Be mindful of deadlines!!   Please review the complete list of NYS Scholarships & Grants available to students using the linked above. This will take you to the HESC website. There are hyperlinks within the master list that will take you to each specific NYS Scholarship & Grant providing general information, application eligibility, deadlines, opportunities to receive notifications, help, resources, links to apply etc.  Please take the time to review the list and details therein to see the opportunities available and applications.  

COLLEGE BOARD CSS Profile:  The CSS Profile is an online application used by certain colleges and scholarship programs to award non-federal institutional aid.  Please complete this CSS Profile if the college(s) you are applying to requires it. 

Naviance: Please continue to check Naviance frequently regarding college information,  college visits, college searches, and scholarship information.

Maintain your Academic Record: The colleges you apply to  will receive a mid-year transcript with your Semester 1 Grades.  It is important to show that you are focused on academic success while also taking challenging classes. You want to finish your Junior Year strong!

Service Learning Graduation Requirement- Submit Service Learning Hours via MHS Digital Service Learning System in Infinite Campus (IC):  Be mindful of minimum 60 Hour Service Learning graduation requirement. Submit your Service Learning Activities in IC to meet your graduation requirement.