The class of 2019 took the first big step toward their future after high school on Thursday, January 11th. At Junior College Planning Night, juniors and their parents eagerly received folders filled with their unofficial transcripts and other informational papers, and filed into the auditorium.

  Each guidance counselor then gave presentations on different subjects about approaching college applications, financial aid, standardized testing, and more. In case you missed planning night, here is some of the most important points covered.

  “A lot of the stuff that we went over I already knew and have been doing, so I felt pretty ahead of the game,” said Junior Elizabeth Flewelling.

 First, guidance had the students and parents look at their mock transcript. Your transcript includes final grades from each year of high school, as well as your “equal”, or unweighted GPA , and your weighted GPA. The counselor explained that, unlike other high schools, Eastern does not release your class rank, but rather places students into “quintiles,” or top 20%, 40%, 60%, etc.

  College entrance exams, which were discussed next, are not listed on your transcript. Those scores must be sent by students directly to colleges from the College Board. The major exams taken are the SAT and ACT. The main differences between the two are that the ACT has a science section, in addition to English and Math, and averages the scores for each together, whereas the SAT adds them. You can register for these tests with the College Board, but the ACT is not proctored at Eastern.

  In addition to College Board, you should also create an account with Naviance. Naviance allows you to enter colleges you are interested in and compares them with average SAT scores, past Eastern students who have applied, and more. Most teachers and guidance counselors use Naviance to find student information for letters of recommendation, and submit them through the website as well. Guidance suggested that juniors should have two recommendations from teachers, and should begin requesting them by Spring of this year.

  Next, admissions options and applications were discussed.  First is Early Decision, which is a binding commitment to a college when you apply early, usually in November. If you get into the school with Early Decision, you must withdraw all other applications and go to that school. There is also Early Action, which is non-binding but you receive admission earlier, around January or February. The regular decision is Rolling Admissions, where applications are considered as soon as information has been received.

  As for the actual applications, more than 600 colleges accept the Common Application. This is a singular application that can be sent to a college you wish to apply to, also synced through Naviance. Some colleges may ask for writing supplements in addition to the Common App and separate fees need to be paid for each school, including sending your SAT or ACT scores.

  The last subject covered was financial aid and scholarships. There are three different kinds of money given: merit-based, federal aid, state aid, and other scholarships. Most schools you apply to will offer some kind of merit-based scholarship from the college when you get in if they deem you deserving. Aid is also given through FAFSA, which the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. You should register with FAFSA in October of your senior year using completed tax forms from the prior year. It is suggested to to list a New Jersey school first for your best chance of receiving the most federal aid. Lastly, there are separate scholarships from anywhere from Eastern clubs to online scholarship applications. Millions of scholarship opportunities can be found on websites like Fastweb.

  Flewelling said, “It was a good start to planning for college, and I felt more secure and prepared in my plans than I did before.”

 After the presentations, parents and students broke out into optional question sessions with their personal guidance counselors. It is a lot of information to process at once, but an important step in understanding the college planning process. Guidance counselors are always available for questions and advice, especially when it comes to college, so do not be afraid to reach out.