SHS College and Career Day

Somerville High School presents
College and Career Day 2017
April 1, 2017
Welcome to our annual College and Career Day! With workshops for students & families in grades 6-12, we aim to provide the information and resources students need to be successful in high school and beyond.
Agenda
9:00 AM – 9:15 AM
Family and Student registration and packet pick-up
Location:
SHS Main Entrance
9:15 AM – 10:00 AM
Introduction:
• Welcome
• Keynote Speech by SHS Alumnus Donny Preval
• Explanation of workshop offerings
Location:
SHS Auditorium
10:10 AM – 11:00 AM
Session 1 Workshops
See below for workshop choices
Location: Various (see below)
Session 1 Workshop Choices:
College Knowledge Trivia For students and families in grades 6, 7, and 8.
Come to this interactive workshop to show off what you know about college – and learn even more about it! There will be prizes given out at this fun and informative activity!
Location: Classroom
What Matters in High School? For students and families in grade 9 and 10.
When applying to college, students need to know how to stand out in high school. Get the answers from the experts including current college students and college admissions counselors (Representatives from Boston University, Brandeis University, Salem State, and Tufts University)!
Location: Library
Alternatives to a Four Year Degree For students and families in grades 9, 10, and 11.
Many students may choose to not attend a four year college immediately after high school. In this workshop, you’ll hear about other paths from the experts: Alison Handy from Middlesex Community College and a representative from Job Corps.
Location: Classroom
SAT, ACT, & Test-Optional Schools For students and families in grades 10 and 11.
What will the Redesigned SAT look like? What resources are available to help you prepare? Do all schools require the SAT or ACT? In this workshop, you’ll get the answers to all of these questions and more!
Location: Classroom
College Application Process For students and families in grade 11.
Believe it or not, the college application process begins now for Juniors! Led by an expert SHS counselor, this workshop will explain what students and families need to do this year – and how to do it!
Location: Auditorium
Financial Aid Award Review For students and families in grade 12.
Financial Aid awards can be complicated and they can look different at every school! Before you make a final decision about where you’ll attend next year, come to this workshop where a representative from uAspire will help you understand your award letters to determine a good financial fit for you.
Location: Computer Lab
11:00 AM – 11:15 AM
Break: Light snacks and water provided
Location: Hallway outside SHS Library
11:25 AM – 12:15 PM
Session 2 Workshops
Location: Various (see below)
Session 2 Workshop Choices:
Career Scavenger Hunt For students in grades 6, 7, and 8.
In this interactive workshop, students will ask Somerville community volunteers about their career paths in an information scavenger hunt. Prizes will be awarded for students that learn the most about careers!
Location: Library
How to Save and Pay for College For families of students in grades 6, 7, 8, and 9.
College can be affordable if you start planning early! In this workshop, families will hear from Jonathan Hughes from the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority about how to save and pay for college.
Location: Classroom
Financial Aid 101 For students and families in grades 9, 10, and 11.
In this workshop, experts from uAspire (our financial aid partner) will explain the basics of financial aid. After, you’ll be prepared to create college plans with a full understanding of how financial aid works!
Location: Auditorium
Financial Aid 101 (in Spanish) For Spanish-speaking students or families in grades 9, 10, and 11.
(in Spanish) In this workshop, you’ll learn everything you need to do to apply for financial aid and how SHS will help. The workshop will be led by a representative from uAspire, our partner in financial aid!
Location: Classroom
Online College Planning Tools For students and families in grade 11.
There are many college planning tools available online and we want to help you use them! In this workshop, we will demonstrate how to use Naviance, College Board, and the Common Application.
Location: Computer Lab
Common App and the College Essay For students in grade 11
You’ll leave this workshop with a Common Application account, a start to your college essay, and awesome advice from an expert college admissions counselor from Tufts University.
Location: Computer Lab
World of Work Panel For students and families in grades 9, 10, 11, and 12.
College is not the only path to a successful career! In this workshop, you’ll hear from people about working in fields like the fire department, advanced manufacturing, culinary, small business, and more!
Location: Classroom
Life after SHS For students in grade 12
What should you expect after graduation? Come to this workshop with SHS alum to talk about what it is like to be a college student or work full time.
Location: Classroom
Senior Family Forum For families of students in grade 12
Transitioning to life after SHS can be difficult for everyone, including families of graduating students! Come discuss the exciting upcoming changes for your student – and you!
Location: Classroom
12:15 PM – 12:30 PM
Conclusion, Prize Give-Away, and Recognitions
Location: SHS Auditorium