Post-Secondary Planning
Planning for life after high school can be extremely exciting, yet overwhelming. Below are resources to support you throughout the process.
As we all learn to navigate the post-secondary world during a pandemic, take a look at this article: More than 300 college deans explain what they want — and don’t want — to see from applicants in the covid-19 era from The Washington Post. This can give you some great insight while you are working on your college application. While you might not be able to visit a campus, check out these recommendations for choosing a college when you can't visit a campus.
We strongly encourage you to access our College & Career Readiness program to learn more about opportunities for job shadows and internships, along with all of the opportunities available under this umbrella. This is an excellent resource to refer to for specific information about how to meet the CCR graduation requirement. There are a lot of strong resources, so please access them!
Common Application
Nearly 900 colleges and universities are using the Common App. Create an account here. Please note that you can create an account beginning on August 1st of your senior year.
The application guide provides you with tips and best practices for completing your application.
Click here for information about the 2023-2024 college essay topics. Be sure to join the College & Career Readiness Google Classroom for college essay support. The Google Classroom code is: sjkwukl
Community College
Three Rivers Community College
Please check out this resource from Affordable Colleges Online - Benefits of Attending Community College and Why You Should Attend Community College for Transfer Credits
Employment
Be sure to check this page frequently for updated job postings.
To obtain working papers, please bring a copy of your Promise to Employ letter to Mrs. Vanderveen in the Guidance Office.
Financial Aid
Check out the PowerPoint Presentation from Financial Aid Night held in October 2023
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will walk you through how financial aid works, resources to pay for college, and loan repayment options. Take a look at the FAFSA Checklist, so you can gather the documents that you will need ahead of time.
Check out this short video for How to Fill Out the FAFSA (English) or Completing the FAFSA (Spanish)
Everything You Need to Know About the New FAFSA Changes from Sallie Mae
Big changes are coming to the FAFSA! Check out this link from Grown and Flown!
Financial aid resources from Common App: Paying for College
CSS Profile is a separate financial form required by some schools. This link contains a list of schools that require the CSS Profile along with helpful tips and resources for completing the form. The CSS Profile Overview is a great place to get started!
Here are some additional resources:
Complete Guide to Financial Aid and the FAFSA
Sallie Mae which also includes free webinars to assist you in completing the FAFSA
Freshmen
Things to think about:
What are my talents and strengths?
Am I taking courses that lead to my post high school plans?
In which courses am I particularly strong?
In what areas do I need to build more skills?
Things to do:
Become familiar with graduation requirements.
Begin a personal file or resume, highlighting academic, extracurricular and community involvement / awards.
Develop a relationship with your counselor and teachers.
Maintain strong academic performance and attendance record.
Seek assistance or support when needed from teachers and counselor.
Talk with teachers, parents, and counselor about your sophomore course selections (January).
Become involved in an extra-curricular activity, sports, clubs, music volunteer work, etc.
Juniors
Bentley University created an Admission 101 series that offers excellent resources, regardless if you are applying to Bentley.
Things to think about:
Am I taking courses that lead to my post high school plans?
Am I giving my best to Junior course work?
With which teachers have I established a strong rapport? (Potential letters of recommendation).
Which talents or strengths might I want to further develop through college studies or post high school plans?
Things to do:
Update my resume.
Take the PSAT/NMSQT test in October.
Continue extracurricular activities.
Maintain strong academic performance and attendance record.
Check your graduation requirements.
Talk with teachers, parents, and counselor about Senior year course selections (January).
Talk with parents about college needs, interests, etc.
Take SAT School Day in March
Register for SATs.
Attend Junior Planning Night in December.
Meet with parents and school counselor to discuss post high school plans.
Consult academic teachers about SAT Subject tests.
Schedule interviews and college visits for Spring, Summer and/or Fall.
Continue to explore career options.
Learning Differences and College Planning
Various post-secondary programs offer a wide range of support. The websites below can be used to learn more about the level of supports within different programs and prove to be useful in considering future plans. Always be sure to check with the official college and university webpage to learn more about supports for students with disabilities.
https://thinkcollege.net/ - provides resources including a searchable database of post high school programs currently available for students with intellectual disabilities.
https://www.heath.gwu.edu/ - online clearinghouse on post-secondary education for individuals with disabilities.
http://www.ldonline.org/ - information for students with learning disabilities and/or ADHD.
https://ncld.org/ - National Center for Learning Disabilities.
https://www.greatschools.org/ - click the 'Parenting' drop down and then click 'Learning Issues'. Resources for students with learning disabilities and/or ADHD.
https://autism.lovetoknow.com/Asperger_Colleges - provides general information and links to other websites on autism and Aspergers and the college process.
https://chadd.org/ - resources for children and adults with ADHD.
http://www.nccsdonline.org/ - resources for students with any disability, chronic health condition, or mental or emotional illness.
Military
US Military Academies - The service academies are federal institutions that provide an undergraduate education and train future commissioned officers for service in the United States Armed Forces. Applying to a Military Service Academy is a rigorous, highly-competitive, and lengthy process only for the most determined and qualified candidates. Students pay no tuition while at a service academy, but they are required to serve in the military upon graduation.
United States Military Academy - Westpoint
United States Coast Guard Academy
United States Merchant Marine Academy
United States Air Force Academy
Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) is a college program offered at more than 1,700 colleges and universities across the country that prepares young adults to become officers in the military. Below are resources if you are interested in learning more.
Guide to Understanding ROTC Programs
Find a Local Recruiter:
Below are resources if you are interested in learning more about opportunities in the military:
Naviance
Naviance login: https://student.naviance.com/oldsaybrook
Naviance Student Overview Reference Guide
College Application Process Reference Guide
Naviance is a web-based program for college and career planning for students and families. In addition, Old Saybrook High School uses Naviance to send school materials (i.e transcripts, letters of recommendation, report cards, etc) to colleges and universities. Naviance allows students and families to:
Perform a college search and create a college list
Access college profiles and websites
Complete interest inventories and learning profiles to explore future plans
View college representative visit schedules
View scholarship information
Resumes
Be sure to join the College & Career Readiness Google Classroom for resume writing support. The Google Classroom code is: sjkwukl
Bentley University has released an Admission 101 series. Check out The Biz for recommendations on how to build a student resume.
Check out this article for 10 resume writing tips.
Log into your Google Docs account and search resume templates to get started!
Scholarships
All of our local scholarships will be posted on Naviance.
Here are additional scholarship sites - get applying!
https://www.collegescholarships.com/
https://pages.collegeboard.org/scholarship-opportunities-from-collegeboard
Seniors
This document was developed by the Connecticut State Department of Education and offers resources and support regarding FASFA completion, virtual college fairs, and assistance completing college applications.
Bentley University created an Admission 101 series that offers excellent resources, regardless if you are applying to Bentley.
Things to think about:
Am I continuing to challenge myself?
Have I completed college applications and financial aid information, etc.?
Am I giving my best to senior course work?
Have I obtained enough information about the colleges of my choice and application deadlines?
Am I meeting with my counselor regularly?
Have I made campus visits to my top colleges?
Things to do:
Update and finalize resume.
Register for SAT Reasoning and SAT Subject Tests.
Maintain strong academic record and attendance record.
Check your graduation requirements.
Seek assistance from teacher and counselors when needed.
Continue extra curricular activities and community involvement.
Meet with counselor to finalize post high school planning (September-November).
Meet with college representatives during visits (September - November).
Complete college applications (September - December).
Be aware of deadlines including early decision and early action options.
Complete Local Scholarships applications.
Attend Financial Aid meetings.
Have parents complete the Financial Aid Form with FAFSA on the web. (Available on October 1)
Document: Senior Planning Guide
Document: Senior Planning Night PowerPoint
Sophomores
Things to think about:
In which subjects did I excel?
Am I taking courses that lead to my post high school plans?
Am I giving my best to sophomore courses?
Of my unique talents and strengths, which would I most like to develop?
Am I involved in at least one extra-curricular activity or community service?
What potential career/post high school option have I considered?
Things to do:
Update my resume.
Seek assistance from teachers and counselors when needed.
Take the PSAT test in October.
Maintain strong academic performance and attendance record.
Be aware of your graduation requirements.
Talk with your teachers, parents, and counselors about course selections
for Junior year (January).Visit counselor to explore post high school plans and interest.
Continue involvement in extracurricular activities.
Standardized Testing
Please note: Old Saybrook High School staff does not have access to account information, including username and password, on these sites.
Several colleges and universities have made changes to their admissions requirements specifically regarding standardized testing for the 2022-2023 school year. Please be sure to check with the colleges and universities that you are applying to for their specific admissions requirements.
Set up a free account with Khan Academy to begin SAT prep! Be sure to link your CollegeBoard and Khan Academy accounts to get the most personalized prep!
CollegeBoard - SATs and Subject Tests, PSATs, AP exams, college planning, CSS Profile, scholarships
SAT 2022-23 SAT Administration Dates and Deadlines
ACT - curriculum-based education and career planning tool for high school students that assesses the mastery of college readiness standards.
ACT 2020-21 SAT Administration Dates and Deadlines
Students who receive testing accommodations at Old Saybrook High School through an IEP or 504 plan may request accommodations on CollegeBoard exams and the ACT. It is the CollegeBoard and/or ACT that decides whether or not a student qualifies for accommodations on these tests. Please speak with your school counselor for more information. Additional information is also available here: CollegeBoard Services for Students with Disabilities and ACT Services for Students with Disabilities.
Student-Athletes
NCAA is an excellent resource to ensure that you are on track to meet academic eligibility and course requirements, as well as understand recruiting rules. Specifically, you should refer to the 2022-2023 Guide for College Bound Student-Athletes. This guide answers questions, provides resources and timelines for student-athletes and parents navigating the initial eligibility process.
For any student-athlete who desires to play NCAA sports at a Division I or II school, you need to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center.