College Planning Timeline and Information

Hanover High School is pleased to announce that we have implemented a new college guidance management system called Scoir (pronounced "score") beginning with the Class of 2023. This new, modern online system will streamline the process of requesting, processing, sending and tracking the electronic delivery of all application-related documents. More importantly, it's much more helpful for students and parents during the college search and selection process.

On Scoir, colleges come to life through pictures, videos and links that highlight active student clubs and organizations. This better enables students to identify colleges that are a good fit with their personal and academic interests, which increases college retention. Scoir also provides parents with useful financial calculators so you can determine the likely cost of attendance at different colleges and consider the affordability when deciding where to apply. These features, along with more convenient scheduling and communication tools, will help keep everyone informed and engaged throughout the college application process. Scoir exists to help more students achieve more positive outcomes, and we're excited that our students have access to this system and the opportunities it provides.  

 

Freshman Year

  • Attend Freshman Orientation hosted by Hanover High School administrators.  Freshman Orientation is held in August before school begins.
  • If you are  having any problems adjusting to high school, if classes are too easy or too difficult, or if any other problems arise, contact your  school counselor immediately. 
  • Monitor academic progress in Aspen X2. Make sure that you see all mid-term progress reports and report cards.  Freshman grades are important! Stay in touch with teachers and school counselors. 
  • Become involved in a variety of activities. Participate in activities outside of school. (i.e. church, scouting, recreational sports). Meaningful community service is always impressive.  Involvement in co-curricular activities will enhance your personal growth.
  • Choose meaningful activities for the summer months. Many excellent summer programs are available on college campuses. There are also a wide variety of more traditional summer activities. For example, you could join an athletic team, take a course, mow lawns, baby-sit, perfect a skill, take lessons, develop a hobby, read, and/or volunteer at a local hospital or nursing home. 
  • In March, attend the College Admissions Panel hosted by the HHS Counseling Department. This is a great way to learn more about what college admissions counselors are looking for in an applicant.
  • June and July complete summer reading.

Sophomore Year

September

  • Sign up  for co-curricular activities that interest you.  The level of involvement and accomplishment is most important, not the number of activities.
  • Start a calendar of important dates and deadlines.
  • Develop your time management skills – prioritizing your activities is critical for academic success.
  • Keep a record of your co-curricular involvement, volunteer work, and employment (all year).  In addition, you should record any honors or awards associated with your activities. Begin during your freshman year and keep adding to it.college recommendation.
  • Check the school website and the guidance google classroom page for information on virtual college fairs, virtual open house opportunities, and upcoming events 

November

  • Make sure you are on top of your academic work.  If necessary, meet with your teachers for additional help.
  • Save your best work in academic courses and the arts for your academic portfolio (all year).

December

  • Talk to your counselor about signing up for the PSAT 10. For more information on the PSAT 10, visit the College Board's website. 

January

  • Attend Student and Families College Planning Information Session.

February

  • Most four year colleges require 4 years of English; 4 years of math; 3 years of science; 2-3 years of social studies, and 2-3 years of foreign languages and electives.

March

  • Take the MCAS English exam.
  • You will receive information about course selection. When selecting junior year courses, be sure to continue to challenge yourself academically but be realistic.
  • Study for the May AP Exams if enrolled in an AP course.  Visit AP Central at the College Board website for more information.
  • Attend the College Admissions Panel hosted by the HHS Counseling Department.

April

  • Look into summer jobs or apply for special academic or enrichment programs.

May

  • Take the MCAS Math exam.
  • Take the Advanced Placement (if applicable).
  • Plan now for wise use of your summer.  Consider taking a summer course or participating in a special program at a local college or community college, working or volunteering.

June

  • Take the MCAS Science Test (if applicable).
  • Start a summer reading list.  Ask your teachers to recommend books.
  • Finalize your summer plans.

July/August

  • Make your summer productive. Continue reading to increase your vocabulary.
  • Complete summer reading.

Junior Year

September

  • Counselors will discuss PSAT sign up. The test is administered in mid October.
  • Take the practice test in the PSAT/NMSQT Student Bulletin which is received at the time of registration.
  • Practice at the PSAT/NMSQT Prep Center:  http://www.collegeboard.org/student/testing/psat/prep.html.
  • Get more involved with extracurricular activities and maintain a record of them.
  • Check the school website and the guidance google classroom page for information on virtual college fairs, virtual open house opportunities, and upcoming events

October

  • Take the PSAT/NMSQT, which can qualify you to receive a National Merit Scholarship.  Be sure you check “yes” for Student Search Service to hear from colleges and scholarships.
  • Attend college fairs in your area.
  • Plan to visit schools in the area just to get a sense of what a college campus is like.  Take advantage of your location – there are 2 and 4 year, public and private, liberal arts and specialty colleges a mere T ride away!

November

  • Keep those grades up.

December

  • Use your PSAT/NMSQT Score Report Plus for personalized feedback on your academic skills, and to help you prepare for the SAT Reasoning Test.
  • Determine when you want to take the SAT Reasoning Test (offered in January, March, May and June; also offered in the fall if you want to re-take the test).
  • Ask your counselor about the ACT and determine if it might be appropriate for you, instead of or in addition to the SAT.
  • Look into participating into SAT prep to help increase your scores. Please see your school counselor for more information
  • Find out about college first hand from friends who are home on break.

January

  • Junior Workshops begin for post high school planning. Students should be checking their email and/or the bulletin board outside of guidance for appointment date/times. 
  • Attend Student and Families College Planning Information Session with parents.
  • Organize a file of college brochures and information.  Before you know it, they’ll start pouring in.
  • Start to explore college options.  Think about which college characteristics are important to you.
  • Plan to visit colleges while they’re in session.  Check to see if schools require or offer interviews (either on-campus or off-campus with admissions staff or alumni).
  • Search for scholarships online that match your skills and interests. Please see the guidance website for scholarship information and check college/university websites for requirements. 
  • Register for the March SAT Reasoning Test if you have completed the math courses covered on the SAT Reasoning Test AND you have done the proper preparation for the exam.  If not, plan to take the SAT Reasoning Test in May or June.

February

  • Spend time in  Scoir researching schools and begin to develop a list of colleges you may be interested in.  Visit a few schools during February break if possible.
  • When selecting senior year courses, be sure to continue to challenge yourself academically, but be realistic. Have discussions with your counselor on how best to select these courses. 
  • ATTEND ALL SCHEDULED JUNIOR WORKSHOPS WITH YOUR COUNSELOR.
  • Research schools attending the National College Fair in Boston, MA. If interested in attending, register at https://www.nacacfairs.org/attend/national-college-fairs/boston.

March

  • Throughout the spring, continue to utilize Scoir to update your list of schools.  Stay in touch with your counselor to discuss course selection and your future plans, whether they include post-secondary education, the military, work or a gap year.
  • Think about two teachers you would like to ask for a letter of recommendation.
  • Begin filling out your senior information sheet. This is located on your guidance google classroom page.
  • Attend the College Admissions Panel hosted by the HHS Counseling Department.

April

  • Register for the May/June SAT Reasoning Test and/or the May/June SAT Subject Test(s) at The College Board (www.collegeboard.org).
  • Register for the ACT at The ACT,  if appropriate (www.act.org).
  • Attend local college fairs and visit some schools over April break if possible. 
  • Look into summer jobs or apply for special academic or enrichment programs.
  • Attend the National College Fair in Boston, MA.

May

  • Take the AP, ACT,  and SAT Reasoning Test, if appropriate.
  • Ask, in person, two teachers for a letter of recommendation for college. If completed, share your Senior Information Sheet with both teachers.
  • If completed, share your Senior Information Sheet with your school counselor.

June

  • Take the ACT and SAT Reasoning Test, if appropriate.
  • Finalize your summer plans.

July/August

  • Start thinking about college majors related to your interests and career goals.
  • Visit colleges, take tours, and have interviews.
  • Continue to refine your list of schools.
  • Contact athletic coaches, if applicable.
  • Begin preparing for the actual application process – complete your senior information sheet,  start a draft of a college essay, and if you have not yet done so, think about which teachers you want to ask to write your recommendations.
  • Create an account with the Common Application. The Common Application can be found at www.commonapp.org.
  • Check google classroom for updates on the application process.

Senior Year

Fall

  • Maintain the highest level of academic achievement possible throughout the year.  Colleges request a copy of your final grades.
  • Attend all Senior Workshops sessions. Appointment dates and times will be emailed to students and also posted on the bulletin board outside of the guidance office. During these workshops, counselors will work with seniors to complete their applications.
  • Have parents, guardians and family members attend the Senior Parent Info Session on the College Application Process.
  • Visit (or re-visit) some colleges that you plan to apply to.  Arrange to stay overnight on campus and attend classes if possible. 
  • Contact college coaches and activity leaders who may be interested in your talents/skills. 
  • If appropriate, register for the SAT Reasoning  and /or the ACT.
  • Notify the College Board/ACT about sending your standardized test scores to your schools - you can do this on-line at http://www.collegeboard.org and at http://www.actstudent.org.
  • Check to see which schools are testing optional. You can do this by going to www.fairtest.org. However, please check the college website for the most up to date information.
  • View the essay prompts in the Common Application and work your essay.  In addition, some colleges/universities may ask you to write supplemental essays.  Prepare your essays with care. Ask a few people to read them over, checking for content, structure, and spelling.  Feel free to share the essay with your counselor, a trusted teacher, your parents or other adults that you know and trust.
  • If you have not already done so, ask two teachers for a letter of recommendation.
  • Share your Senior Information Sheet with the two teachers writing your letter of recommendation and your school counselor. 
  • Attend College Financial Aid Night with your parent/guardian. See your counselor for date and time.
  • Because the financial aid process differs from college to college, you should check with each of the colleges to understand their requirements. Financial Aid forms such as the CSS Profile and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are available online.  The CSS Profile  and the FAFSA are available October 1.  (Students needing financial aid, who are applying early decision to colleges that require the CSS Profile, must register for it in the fall).
  • Complete the required financial aid forms, adhering to deadlines.

Winter

  • Investigate scholarship opportunities at the colleges of your choice and file any additional required forms.
  • Counselors provide information to the senior class on the application process for local scholarships in February. 
  • Download the Scholarship Information from google classroom and select scholarships you are eligible to apply for. Applications and requirements for the scholarships are located in google classroom. Deadlines for transcript requests and applications are typically the first week of April.
  • Visit or re-visit colleges you have been accepted to.

Spring

  • Confirm your intent to enroll at the college of your choice by sending in your deposit by May 1.
  • Notify the colleges you will not be attending once you have made your decision.  This notification allows colleges to admit students from their wait lists. 
  • Inform your counselor about your college responses.  If you are on a wait list, inform the college whether or not you would like to remain on the waitlist.
  • Write thank you notes to everyone who wrote letters of recommendation for you and inform them of your college choice.
  • Take AP exams if you have taken AP courses.  Get more information at AP Central.
  • Finish your senior year strong. Colleges require all enrolling students to submit their final high school transcript.

Course Selections

While the grades a student earns in course work completed during the second semester of the senior year do not usually enter into the admissions decision, colleges do request that students provide a list of courses in which they are enrolled second semester. It is assumed that this course selection will reflect the same high quality as a student’s previous work in high school. Taking “easy” courses or a reduced course load during the second semester is not considered the mark of a serious student. 

Academic Performance

Admissions decisions are also contingent on the successful completion of all course work.  Admissions officers reserve the right to question poor second semester performance and, in some cases, to reverse an admissions decision already made. Some seniors whose grades have dropped during second semester have received letters from the college they plan to attend informing them their acceptance will now be re-considered.

Double Depositing

Each year some seniors have a difficult time making up their minds about which college to enroll in after they have been accepted. In order to have more time to make a decision they send deposits to more than one college on or after May 1. This is called “double depositing” and is an unethical practice. Should the colleges involved determine that a student has “double-deposited,” admission may be jeopardized. It is an acceptable practice to deposit at one school and maintain your name on a waitlist at another. However, indicating to two schools that you will be attending by sending deposits to both should not be considered.

Reference: http://professionals.collegeboard.com/guidance/applications/ethics