Class of 2022
Spring Newsletter #1
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POST-SECONDARY PLANNING PROCESS
1. Exploration & Planning
- It is important to continue thinking about your plans for after high school. Please use NAVIANCE to do college and career searches.
- Become familiar with the MassTransfer Program in case that is a good fit.
- Please communicate your plans with your school counselor regardless of if it is college, work, the military, vocational training, a gap year, or otherwise! (Please note, counselors are very booked up until April break with course selection appointments, so availability will increase after April break!)
- If you are planning on applying to colleges, start making a list of your college choices - you can use this chart to keep track.
- For more activities around planning, please consult our list! English Español Português
2. Teacher Recommendations
- If you are applying to a 4-year college, you will likely need 1-2 teacher recommendations.
- When choosing which teachers to ask, think about which teachers know you the best. It does not have to be a teacher who teaches the class you are strongest in. It is more important that they can write about what type of student you are.
- Please ask your two teachers BEFORE the end of the year if they would be willing to write you a recommendation. Each teacher has their own process for this!
3. Counselor Recommendations
- Most 4-year schools require a counselor recommendation. This is why it is important for you to communicate your plans with your counselor. They will provide you with further instructions and next steps!
4. Standardized Tests
- Many colleges are test-optional this year. This means that standardized tests are not required. However, this is specific to the college, and you will want to check the college's website for more information to determine if you should take the ACT or SAT. It is important for you to consider your personal circumstances for whether or not to take the exams. Please visit FairTest.org to review the schools that are in-part or fully test optional.
- The test dates for the SAT and ACT can be found on their websites: https://www.collegeboard.org/ and https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act.html It is important to register soon for these! If you need a fee waiver, please contact your school counselor or Mrs. Erikson (rschmid@framingham.k12.ma.us).
- The ACT is not offered at Framingham High School. The next anticipated SAT tests at Framingham High are May 8th and June 6th. Please note: students can register to take the SAT and ACT at other testing sites as indicated when you register on the College Board and ACT websites.
Please click here for a lot more information regarding testing, test prep, and FAQs.
5. Common Application
- The Common Application is an application that is used by hundreds of colleges. You can find out if it is used by the colleges you will be applying by checking each college's website.
- The Common Application is 1 application that is then sent to whichever schools you choose. There is one part of the application that gets sent to each school, and then there are supplemental applications depending on the school (all within the Common Application).
- We recommend starting the Common Application over the summer. While the Common Application will become available in August for the Class of 2022, you may start it now and then roll it over.
- The Common Application can be found here: https://www.commonapp.org/
**Some schools do NOT use the Common Application. This will be noted on the college's website, and the application that they use will also be listed there.
6. Personal Statement/College Essay
- The college essay/personal statement is an important part of an application, as it shows the colleges who you are and what is important to you.
- The Common Application has essay choices that can be found here: https://www.commonapp.org/blog/2021-2022-common-app-essay-prompts
- We recommend getting starting on this essay this spring and summer.
- Make an appointment with Ms. Erikson for college essay help—whether its picking a topic or editing, we’re here for you.
- We encourage you to use the FHS Writing Center for help!
WRITING CENTER WEBSITE:
Click here to access our brand new writing center website!
SIGN UP FOR AN APPOINTMENT:
Click here to sign up for a virtual writing conference appointment!
7. Financial Aid
**While you CANNOT start these until October 1st, it is helpful to become familiar with the processes; more information can be found here.
- The Financial Aid process is separate from the Admissions process.
- Colleges and universities all require the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to apply for aid. This is found here: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
- Some colleges also require the CSS Profile, which is an additional application: https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org/
The Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority is a great resource to learn more: https://www.mefa.org/
LOOKING FOR SUPPORT?
UPCOMING FHS EVENTS FOR JUNIORS
- Thursday, April 29th @ 6:30 PM: Jumpstart to Junior Future Planning Night Part 2. This event will be virtual and information on how to access the event is forthcoming. Click on the blue links to view the recording and materials from our October event: Video Recording Power Point.
- A workshop series for students on topics such as getting started on the essay, completing a college search, starting a Common Application, and more!
- A Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority Financial Aid Night (date to be confirmed).
Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority Podcast Series
Welcome to MEFA's podcast series. Here you'll find conversations with our experts about every step of planning, saving, and paying for college. You can listen to each podcast right on this page, or through the podcast app on your iPhone or Android. Be sure to subscribe to our series below to find out about new episodes.
Suscribe on Android
The MetroWest College Planning Collaborative
The MetroWest College Planning Collaborative (CPC) is a regional joint college access initiative that was founded by Framingham State University and Mass Bay Community College through the Department of Higher Education’s Vision Project. The CPC’s mission is to provide the necessary outreach, training, mentoring, and advising to guide youth and non-traditional adult learners in the Metro West region on their desired pathway to higher education.
Jaimy Jean-Noel is a Program Coordinator and College Access Advisor at the College Planning Collaborative. She helps youth with learning about and applying to college as well as headlining programs dedicated to the academic advancement of high school students. She currently works with students at Framingham High School. If you would like to book an appointment with her, please email MetrowestCPC@gmail.com or call 508-215-5600.
COLLEGE VISITS & FAIRS
YouVisit and CampusTours allow you to search for schools for a virtual tour.
Visit https://www.neacac.org/spring-college-fairs-2021 for more info.
Upcoming college fairs:
- Sat, 4/14 7-8:30pm EST
- Sun, 5/16 1-3pm EST
COLLEGE BOARD'S BIG FUTURE
- BigFuture Day Midwest is on Sunday, April 18
- BigFuture Day Southeast is on Thursday, April 29
We will be adding to our list of College Admissions Events 2021, so check it out!
INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES | INFORMACIÓN PARA LAS FAMILIAS | INFORMAÇÕES PARA AS FAMÍLIAS
Únase a nosotros para una sesión informativa para que las familias de habla hispana conozcan las oportunidades en MassBay Community College. Esta sesión informativa se presentará en español y ayudará a los estudiantes y sus familias a aprender sobre nuestros programas académicos, el proceso de solicitud para la universidad, la documentación oficial que certifique estudios completos de la escuela secundaria fuera de los EE. UU., ayuda financiera, opciones de transferencia, vida estudiantil y oportunidades de tutoría.
Contacto: Claudia Ortiz 781-239-2641 o Luz Castro 508-270-4020
Português: Quinta-feira, 8 de Abril. | 17:00 Campus de Wellesley Hills, 50 Oakland Street Junte-se a nós para uma sessão informativa para que as famílias que falam português conheçam as oportunidades em MassBay Community College. Essa sessão informativa será apresentada em português e irá ajudar os alunos e suas famílias a conhecerem nossos programas acadêmicos, o processo de se candidatar a uma vaga na faculdade, a documentação necessária de conclusão da escola secundaria (Ensino Medio) fora dos EUA, assistência financeira, opções de transferência, a vida acadêmica e as oportunidades de mentoria.
Contato: Claudia Ortiz, 781-239-2641 ou Layon Araujo, 781-239-2644
Para registrarse Para se inscrever or visit www.massbay.edu/infosessions
START HERE. GO ANYWHERE. | WWW.MASSBAY.EDU
CAREER, TRADE, & TECHNICAL PROGRAMS
LOOKING TO EXPLORE CAREER OPTIONS?
O*NET Online: Explore various careers through multiple tools: https://www.onetonline.org/find/
Massachusetts Career Information System: https://masscis.intocareers.org/loginmain.aspx?SiteType=3&cookieTest=y Students enter the site by entering Framingham's zip code. There are a number of career assessments as well as multiple ways to explore careers (Reality Check is a favorite!).
Explore Year Up! Year Up provides training, internships, and career pathways.
College Board's Big Future: This is a tool to explore careers, click here.
- Keefe At Night has various training programs and classes to take to further your skills and credentials after high school. Explore your options here.
- Massachusetts Bay Community College offers certificate programs to gain career credentials and technical skills. These are programs that do not require that you matriculate into the college and rather than earning an Associate's Degree, you earn a Certificate in a particular area.
- Universal Technical Institute: Explore their training programs here!
- Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology: Contact Calvin Conyers, Assistant Dean of Admissions and Recruitment; Phone: 617-588-1299 | Email: CConyers@bfit.edu
- Explore Job Corps: Job Corps also host two weekly info sessions via Zoom on Tuesdays @ 2pm & Thursdays @ 6:30pm—open to all! Interested in Job Corps? Contact: Katie Skuse (Admission Counselor) Skuse.Kathryn@jobcorps.org; All you have to do is simply click the link and book your appointment, https://katieskuse.youcanbook.me/
GAP YEAR PROGRAMS & EVENTS
Please note: There are many different ways to take a gap year. Some students take them through programs (these have a big range of price tags), some create their own plan, others work. Please talk to your counselor about these options!
- 4/8/2021 - Concord Free Public Library, Concord, MA. 7:00PM ET. Register here.
- 4/14/2021 - Newton Free Library, Newton, MA. 7:00PM ET. Register here.
Want more info? Contact Katharine Stievater at katherine@gapyearsolutions.com
Rustic Pathways: Since 1983 Rustic Pathways has been operating intentionally designed, transformative student-travel programs with impact at the core of the experience.
Want to see the world now? Explore their new Flightless Travel Resources with everything from virtual tours and language learning to movie and music playlists to help you explore a country even when you can’t travel right now! Explore their travel programs here.
CANVAS MODULES
Schedule an appointment with your counselor!
Ms. Lydia Jones (De N - K) ljones@framingham.k12.ma.us
Ms. Kaitlin Donovan (L - Pi) kdonovan@framingham.k12.ma.us
Ms. Lindsey Monaco (Po - Z) lmonaco@framingham.k12.ma.us
Ms. Susie Ramirez (ESL Counselor) iramirez@framingham.k12.ma.us
Ms. Emily Taylor (Cornerstone & Thayer) etaylor03@framingham.k12.ma.us
Ms. Rachel Erikson (College & Career Counselor) rschmid@framingham.k12.ma.us