Post Secondary Planning

Where Do I Go From Here?

The prospect of making plans for after high school can be overwhelming. Although there are no good shortcuts, in order to make this process a positive one, you should take the time now to start and develop some well thought out plans, plans which are suited to your interests and abilities. By starting now and going step by step in an orderly way, you will find the process less intimidating and more enjoyable.To help you, we are providing you with the following:

• an overview of the resources available at Newton South to aid you in planning for after high school
• guidelines for selecting colleges which would be a match for you
• information about standardized tests
• copies of documents you will be using next year
• specific information about college admissions and financial aid
• a suggested timetable to follow in selecting and applying to college
• some miscellaneous information and advice

The former dean of admission at a well-known university used to send out a wonderful letter to all prospective applicants which included the following advice for seniors:

"As you go through this year, try to retain a sense of perspective and even a sense of humor. I know how important where you attend college is to you, but I also know that students often see as critical those differences between attending one college and another which, in many cases, are very slight. Whatever you do, don't let the college application process so preoccupy you that you miss out on all that your school has to offer you during your senior year."

The same advice applies to parents. You'll need that sense of humor, because the culmination of the college application process is watching your child move on, which is a different subject entirely!