College Night Presentation

1. College Night Presentation March 3, 2016

2. Jr/Sr year • College/trade school search…… • Testing…….. • Applications…….. • Scholarships……… • Busy students……

3. www.actstudent.org • 6 national test dates • Testing available at several area sites • Testing dates and deadlines are available on actstudent.org • You can indicate up to 4 schools to send your ACT score to or pay for scores to be mailed at a later date

4. ACT cont. • The writing portion is an option on the ACT – take it if you want to go to a selective college or you want to be a certified employee in an Illinois school • Most colleges take the highest test scores if the test is taken more than once • ACT prep available by books, in class, online, and with a prep program that we offer in the spring • The Real ACT Prep Guide – app $20 on amazon

5. Illinois State Scholars • Based on a mathematical formula determined by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) • Combination of a students ACT composite and their high school rank after 6 semesters • ISAC determines the Illinois State Scholars • Not a monetary award • Usually awarded in November to December of senior year

6. Transcripts • Transcripts are usually sent with college applications • Transcripts must be requested from the RHS counseling office • Some colleges will request that you also send a 7th semester transcript • Your final transcript will be sent to your intended college during the summer after your senior year – it takes a couple of weeks

7. Grade Point Average and Rank • Class rank is determined by the GPA and may change with each semester • GPA is only figured 2 times per year at the end of a semester • Some classes have a weighted GPA • Some colleges request a rank and some do not • A higher rank may help with college admissions if the ACT score is lower and a high ACT will help if a class rank is low • BHC Scholars – the top 10% of the class based on class rank may be offered free tuition to BHC

8. College Requirements • Meeting to exceeding minimum college requirements does not guarantee admission to a college • May need more core classes than are required for a RHS diploma –ex. social studies • Acceptance to a college does not guarantee acceptance into a degree program at all colleges -All schools are different -Often gen ed courses come first -Program acceptance is usually possible through early success and pre-requisite completion early in college

9. College Selection Procedure • Narrow down choices -Use web and make college visits -Take tours and network with faculty -Talk with students pursuing your field of interest • Have questions prepared to ask reps • Research college requirements and procedures - GPA, Class Rank, ACT scores - Placement tests - Personal statement – take your time, proofread, highlight your strengths and goals, make it “college specific” • Guarantee 4 year degree plan? • Guarantee tuition, room and board, fees?

10. College Research • www.collegenavigator.com • Look at the typical student and determine if that works for you • Make sure you pay special attention to graduation rate and retention rates • There are student reviews online. Read those in addition to what is on school websites.

11. Skilled Trades • Short term training – some have paid apprenticeships • In demand • Good Pay • Often have better pay and job outlook than many college degrees • Must be willing to work hands on • Can get training through unions, community colleges and vocational schools (ie MTI)

12. Skilled Trades In 2012 53% of skilled trades workers were 45 + years old Electrician HVAC Plumber Elevator repair $43,640 $49,840 $49,140 $76,650

13. 2 year vs 4 year 41% Percent of first year freshmen that attend a community college

14. Cost Comparison 2 year average national cost $3430 4 year average national cost $9410 This does not include room and board!!

15. Financial Aid options • Your own money • Federal student loans (max $5500 for freshman year) • Grants – money that does not have to be repaid • Scholarships – awards that do not have to be paid back • Parent loans • Private loans

16. 2 year 4 year • Lower Cost • Specialized degrees • Transfer Options • Some programs make you career ready • More flexible while attending • Sometimes smaller classes • Broader Curriculum • More Athletics/fine arts • Increased Career flexibility • Study abroad • Internships/research • Grad school prep • More prestigious • Some pre-admit programs

17. Community College • You do not just have to look at BHC. • There are different programs at different colleges • You will generally get in district tuition if BHC des not have your program • EICC – Illinois students go for online prices • Some CC’s have housing on campus or nearby

18. Private vs Public 4 year • Private schools tend to have smaller classes • Private schools may have less grad assistants teaching courses • Do not refuse to look at private schools based on price – some are very generous and may actually be the same or less than public • Private schools may have less majors offered • Public schools may have less advisory time

19. College Applications • Apply early – if possible do not wait until after the priority deadline because admission criteria may become much tougher • Apply online if possible • Keep copies of all papers and correspondence • If there is a counselor or teacher recommendation needed then make sure that the recommender is asked • Applications usually have fees • Fees can usually be waived if a student qualifies for reduced/free lunch

20. College Visits • Open houses are available on almost all holidays that students are out of school • Register online for open houses online to ensure your spot and determine the type of tour you get • Go prepared with questions to ask • Don’t be afraid to ask questions • Ask students questions not just college employees • If you are pleased with the open house visit arrange for a private visit to talk to an advisor • Students can take prearranged absences to visit colleges

21. A few things to consider on a visit • Safety – signs/bulletin boards • Class size • Grad assistants • Course assistance • Career assistance availability • Job placement • Internships • Study abroad

22. A few more things…. • Dorm size, distance to campus, restrooms • Parking availability and cost • School climate/spirit • Dining options • Transportation around campus • Social activities • Amenities – rec center/wifi/laundry/printing • Healthcare

23. Beyond the open house…. • Open houses are good but don’t be afraid of individual visits. • You can sit in on a class • You can talk to an advisor • You can set up a visit with a professor • You can set up an overnight visit • Go visit 4year schools even if you know you are starting with a community college

24. Major/Degree program • Use the college’s website to look up the required course sequence • Do the research to find out what is required to do particular jobs – A.A/A.S, BA/BA, MA/MS, Doctorate • Go to campus advisors to assist with choices made in regards to your major or degree program

25. Majors • Some schools have early admit programs for students in programs like nursing, pt/ot, and engineering • Just because you are accepted into a school does not mean that you are always accepted into the major that you want

26. Out – of State/District Tuition • When attending an out of district community college there may be increased costs. You may be able to get around these costs. Make sure to ask admissions what your different options are. • With the current high rate at Illinois schools, there are some out of state schools that are comparable or lower than many Illinois schools (UW-Platteville, Truman State, UW LaCrosse, Iowa State) • Don’t be deterred from all out of state schools since there are some that offer good tuition rates for Illinois students

27. Obtaining Residency • Some students research and do what it takes to become a resident of another state • Just living and going to school there is not enough • Each state can have it’s own rules. You will have to check into them • Some schools will allow you to live on campus and go part time while obtaining your residency

28. Transfer Credits • Please make sure that you talk with the school that you intend to transfer credits to, to ensure that you are able to transfer the credits that you want to transfer • Transferology can be helpful in determining what classes are transferable and what classes are not • Some courses that are certificate/major specific may not actually help your credits at another school For example: Welding classes will probably not help your credits if you change to an a bachelor’s degree

29. Placement tests and Course Registration • If your ACT test subtests are not high enough, you will most likely have to take placement tests to determine what classes you will be placed in • If you do not get a high enough score on the placement tests, you will have to take remedial courses prior to enrollment in traditional courses • Placement tests are taken prior to course registration – allowed two tests tries at BHC • Students attending community college will be testing and registering for classes in the spring of their senior year • Don’t procrastinate because you may miss out on the classes or professors that you really want to take

30. FAFSA • Free Application for Federal Student Aid • Required for grants, loans, and workstudy • Online application • Never pay for financial aid • Presentation in November or December • Can send info to up to several colleges

31. Scholarships • National, regional, or local • Scholarships are available from universities – ask their financial aid department for information • You can often find merit scholarship info on school websites • Watch for deadlines • Local scholarship forms are released on our website in February and are due in the beginning of March

32. Ready for college? • Responsible for actions • Sets goals/follows through • Self motivated • Accepts change • Searches out help • Gets things done • Organized • Desire to go to college • Self disciplined • Manages time well • Looked into careers • Reads and understands • Can take care of self • Comfortable with the unknown • Ready to study a lot • Respects authority • Sense of self

33. Encourage independence and communication • Register for visits with you • Make phone calls on their own – you can talk them through it ahead of time • Come in to the office for forms/questions • Have them approach people for assistance • Do not do their applications/scholarships for them • Do not send us emails for transcripts – they need to come in • Better to learn now than while in college or on the job

34. RHS Counseling Office • College representatives are visiting RHS- they visit during lunch hours and are available to give information • List of questions available to ask college reps • College Handbooks with all the basic information that you need • Some individual college information is available • College and career planning assistance is available from Mrs. Robinson and Mrs. Smith • We help with applications and recruitment appointments

35. Helpful Websites • http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ • www.bls.gov