Agenda for this evening:

1. Agenda for this evening: Timeline College Search & Visit Common Terms & Definitions Questions

2. COLLEGE IS A MATCH TO BE MADE NOT A PRIZE TO BE WON

3. Presenters This Evening Pioneer Counseling Department Stephanie Carter and Sara Vance

4. 11th Grade - 1st Semester Begin College Lists Attend College Visits at the PHS Career Center Research Colleges - Students & Parents- Career Cruising Internet & Catalogs Career Center

5. 11th Grade - 2nd Semester Junior Interviews with Counselor MORE College Research Take SAT, ACT and MME exams On-Campus College Visits (while college is in session) Attend the Ann Arbor College and Career Fair at Pioneer HS on Tuesday March 22, 2016 (6-8pm) Fill out Senior Profile and Parent Brag Sheet Turn in completed brag sheets and profiles by May 1 Review High School Transcript for Graduation Requirements Request Teacher Recommendations before end of year

6. Standardized College Admission Exams SAT I – Reasoning Test – This SAT is a three-hour, primarily multiple-choice test that measures reading; writing and language; and math reasoning abilities. There is an optional essay. The test taken with the essay will cover 3 hours and 50 minutes. Many colleges require SAT scores for admission. SAT II – Subject Tests – Subject Tests are one-hour, primarily multiple-choice tests that measure your knowledge of particular subjects and your ability to apply that knowledge. Check the requirements of the colleges you are considering. More selective colleges may require or recommend one or more Subject Tests for admission or placement. ACT – Assessment Test – A group of tests administered by ACT and required or recommended by many colleges. The tests measure educational development in English, mathematics, reading, and science reasoning and are given at specified test centers throughout the year. AP Exams (Advanced Placement Exams) Advanced Placement exams are available in May each year. They are not required for college admissions but may be used by some colleges for college credit or placement. Students will register at the General Office in early March. The tests cost $100.

7. Michigan Merit Exam Part I : SAT Part II: ACT Work Keys Part III: Michigan components of exam (Science, and Social Studies) During registration process, students can select up to 4 colleges for this specific SAT score to be sent to. NO FEE. MME will be held at PHS in April of 2016 for Juniors. It is required for graduation.

8. The New SAT * All new essay * No penalty for guessing * Relevant vocabulary * Use of historical documents - 4 parts: Reading, Writing & Language, Math, and Optional Essay - Score Scale: 400-1600 -3 hours and 50 minutes (w/essay)

9. SAT Practice through Khan Academy www. khanacademy.org/sat • * 4 short, diagnostic quizzes that cover all the skills in a specific • SAT subject. • * 4 full length, timed SAT exams. • * Beginning in December, students can write an essay and • receive feedback.

10. PSAT • Given to all juniors in October of 2015. A Practice Test for the SAT. • Students will receive results at PHS sometime in December or January. • Results used by scholarship programs to look for eligible students (National Merit Scholarship Program).

11. Summer Before 12th Grade Plan your work and work your plan Fill out applications for Colleges - find them online Have a couple people check them before you push the send button - some do not let you revise after sending Work on college application essays Be aware of upcoming deadlines Read summer mailing from Pioneer HS Study for retaking early Fall SAT & ACT tests (optional)

12. 12th Grade - 1st Semester Attend Senior Parent Night in early September Complete college applications. Most applications will be done entirely online Retake SAT & ACT tests (optional) Remind teachers for letters of recommendation. Make sure you give them at least 4 weeks before you need them Go to College Visits at Pioneer HS (Career Center) Admissions Officers will be presenting and are available for questions - very helpful to meet these people!. On-Site Admissions at PHS is also an option.

13. 12th Grade - 2nd Semester Fill out FAFSA after January 1st Check Career Center weeklyfor scholarships and go online to register for fastweb.com (scholarship search engine) Receive acceptance/rejection letters from colleges Continue to work hard academically: 2nd semester classes & grades count towards acceptance or “denial”! Contact Financial Aid offices at proposed colleges Develop a plan to finance college Send in your deposit to selected college by their required deadline.

14. Researching Colleges

15. WHAT DO I LOOK FOR? What do you know about yourself? Likes, Dislikes, Interests, Values Environment - location, size, etc. Admission Requirements Academics College Expenses & Financial Aid Housing Facilities Activities You are looking for a college that “fits” and will likely have a preliminary list of colleges to explore

16. HOW DO I SEARCH? EDP’s & Career Cruising Career Center at Pioneer High School College Visits at Pioneer High School On-campus college visits Online internet research - See helpful websites on next page Helpful books Research - Research - Research!

17. HELPFUL COLLEGE SEARCH WEBSITES www.gocollege.com www.petersons.com www.smart.net/-pope/hbcu/hbculist.htm www.campustours.com www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/cosearch.htm www.collegeboard.com www.act.org www.cappex.com

18. Career Center Hours of Operation: 7:30 - 3:00 M-F Location: Across from the Cafeteria Students can spend lunchtime and 7th hour in the Career Center Parents are more than welcome to utilize these resources!

19. What is in the Career Center? Online Searches College Catalogs & DVD’s PSAT, SAT & ACT applications & practice tests. Resources on other Post-secondary planning: Military, Vocational Schools, Apprenticeships, etc. Scholarship Opportunities Summer & Internship Opportunities

20. On-Campus College Visits Call or e-mail the Admissions Offices at prospective colleges Ask about procedures for a Campus Visit Try to plan visits while college is in session Inquire if college students will be available for questions Try to attend a class or two & ask about eating in the dining hall Try to spend a night in the dorm or see a dorm room during a campus tour

21. SCHOLARSHIPS Students can begin applying for scholarships during the senior year. Check out the following websites: www.fastweb.com www.cappex.com Local and national scholarship opportunities can be found in the PHS Career Center.

22. Financial Aid Students seeking help with college cost will need to apply for financial aid. For a student to be considered for federal aid, then he/she will need to complete an online application at www.fafsa.gov (FAFSA) Free Application for Federal Student Aid The FAFSA is processed free of charge. FAFSA is used by most state agencies and colleges to determine eligibility for financial aid. Students must complete this form in order to be eligible for work study. Registration opens January 1st of senior year.

23. Scholarship/Financial Aid • Pioneer High School • Financial Aid / Scholarship Night • Tuesday January 12, 2016 • Cafeteria Annex at 7:00 PM • Facilitated by a local university’s admission office

24. COLLEGE ATHLETICS Student athletes seeking to play a Division I or Division II college sport will need to register at www.eligibilitycenter.org Part of the NCAA registration process will involve sending a transcript from parchment.com

25. Steps in Applying to College from Pioneer High School

26. After careful research, select at least 3-5 colleges to apply to. Consider colleges where your admission might be a stretch, pretty certain and guaranteed. Do NOT apply to a school if you would never attend there. Get applications online, or college admissions offices. Pioneer HS Counselors will begin accepting applications for processing the second week in September. Rolling Admissions/ Early Action applications should be submitted as early as possible (before October 31st). Step #1 Applications

27. Step #2 Test Scores Students will be advised to send scores directly to four colleges when they register for MME/SAT. Colleges use only the highest scores. Pioneer does not send scores. Scores are sent directly by the testing centers per your request. There is a fee.

28. STEP #3 : Transcripts Students will need to send transcripts to colleges through www.parchment.com Some colleges may charge a small fee (around $2.55) for each transcript. Most Midwestern colleges are free.

29. Step #4 Recommendations Students need to ask teachers for recommendations, before leaving for summer break. Teachers will need to know deadline. Recommendations are sent either electronically or through US mail. This will depend on the college.

30. Step # 5 Important Deadlines Students need to be aware of their college application deadlines. Many pieces need to come together such as counselor recommendation, teachers’ recommendations, student’s essay, etc.

31. Common Terms & Definitions

32. Selective Admissions Options Early Action – An application process which permits students to make application to an institution of preference and receive a decision during the senior year well in advance of the normal response dates in the spring. The candidate is not committed to enroll at that particular institution. Early Decision – An application process in which a commitment is made by the student to the institution that, if admitted, the student will enroll. Only a student who can make a deliberate and well-reasoned first choice decision should apply under an Early Decision plan because the institution will require a nonrefundable deposit well before May 1. This is a binding commitment from the student. WAITLISTED ROLLING ADMISSION

33. WHERE DO I TURN TO ASK QUESTIONS? • COUNSELOR • CAREER CENTER • COLLEGE WEBSITES

34. We hope this makes the college application process a little easier! Thank you for coming!