From Here to There… Welcome to Senior Year!

1. From Here to There…Welcome to Senior Year! Bremen High School

2. Getting Ready to Graduate • Have plans in place to earn all necessary credits • Pay attention to senior credit check letters • Take PSAE on April 23 & 24 • Seniors who MET or EXCEEDED on both Reading and Math are Final Exam Exempt • Look on page 1 under “Your Performance Level” • Pass Constitution Test • Listen to announcements for Fall makeup: October 29-November 1 • Register for Selective Service • Not eligible for financial aid if not registered

3. Senior Interviews • Beginning next week! • All Seniors will be seen by their counselors to discuss future options • Things to bring to the interview • Transcripts with corrections • List of questions and concerns • Current plan for beyond Bremen

4. Senior Performance Assessment • Must submit proof of post-secondary plans • Bring all documentation to Project Manager, Ms. Rauch, in PPS by May 1st! • Acceptance letters • Semester schedule or COMPASS results • Signed military contract • Letter from employer • Senior Signing Day – May 9

5. Testing • ACT Test • Required to apply to 4-year college • Next test is October 27; registration deadline is September 21 • Register online with a credit card or waiver at www.actstudent.org • If you qualify for free lunch, you may obtain a waiver from your counselor • COMPASS – college placement test recommended for seniors • Wednesday, October 24, at Bremen from 8 am-12 pm • Sign up in PPS by Friday, September 21; you will be called down to complete a SSC application • Value–college planning information, free class • ASVAB – required for the military • Tuesday, October 16, and 2nd semester (TBA) • Signup information will be announced at a later date

6. College Visits • College Campus Visits - allowed two per year • Must be taken before April 1st • Follow planned-absence procedure outlined on p. 16 of the Student/Parent Handbook • College Rep. Visits at Bremen - allowed three per semester without counselor approval • Sign up outside PPS office

7. College Applications • All students are encouraged to apply online • Target application deadline: November 1st • Read all parts of application carefully! • If you qualify for free lunch, you may qualify for an application fee waiver • Read waiver directions carefully • Give counselor at least one week to complete his/her part • Letters of recommendation are not necessary unless requested by the school

8. A Complete Application Includes… • All parts completed correctly • Correct postage • Application fees • Application waivers (if qualify) • Complete signatures • Test scores • Accepted off of Bremen transcript? • Transcripts • Request from Registrar, Mrs. Innocenti • Form located in PPS • Must provide complete mailing address • Free until July 1st; then $5.00 • U. of I. – Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR)

9. College & Career Center College & Career Center (CCC) • Staffed beginning next week • Counselor assistance available during study halls Monday-Thursday • Ask any teacher for a pass; scan in for attend. • AAC – need grade clearance to obtain a pass • Monthly workshops on timely topics during Connection Periods

10. NCAA Clearinghouse • The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a voluntary association of about 1200 colleges and universities, athletic conferences and sports organizations devoted to the sound administration of intercollegiate athletics. Their rules help regulate college sports programs • Athletes must meet NCAA requirements prior to admission to college for Division 1 and Division 2 schools • Refer to student/athlete handbook in CCC • If you are an athlete, it is your responsibility to tell your counselor

11. NCAA (cont’d) • NCAA requirements: • ACT score sent to NCAA from ACT • Choose 9999 as one of your college and scholarship choices when registering for ACT • Register online with a credit card ($70) at http://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/common/ • See your counselor for specifics regarding classes, GPA, test scores, etc.

12. Scholarships • Students are responsible for their own scholarships • Follow same guidelines for completing college applications, essays, letters of recommendation, etc. • The more time and effort you put into the process, the greater your rewards will be. • Pay close attention to deadlines!!!!

13. Scholarship Resources • Internet websites • Fraternities/sororities • Local Chamber of Commerce • Private, no cost to you, agencies such as • Educational Talent Search • Ada S. McKinley • Target Hope • Public/college libraries • Bookstores • Magazines • Bremen Student Services website • CCC Workshops • Colleges and universities • Parent employers • Your employer • Relatives • Unions (credit and job) • Church • Insurance companies • Military • State and local representatives

14. How Do I Apply for Scholarships and Awards? • Obtain an application in the CCC or apply online • Prepare a packet including the application and all required materials • Allow 2 weeks for others (counselor, teacher, coach, etc.) to complete their parts and return to you • Give a completed Letter of Recommendation Form to every recommender • Affix proper postage and address properly • Mail by posted deadline

15. FAFSAFree Application for Federal Student Aid • All money is first come, first served • If you apply late, you may not get money even if you qualify • Meet with your counselor to make an appt. to meet with the ISAC rep. in CCC on Thursdays during study hall (begins next week) • Attend Financial Aid Night at Bremen on November 28 • Come to FAFSA Workshops in CCC • Register now and get your PIN • All students need a PIN to apply for financial aid • Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov

16. CDS College & Career Expo • Wednesday, September 26th, 5:00-7:30 p.m. • South Suburban College Physical Fitness Athletic Center • Visit with more than 120 universities, colleges, technical schools, apprenticeship programs and military branches from across the country • Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) will be present to assist with financial planning

17. How do I Choose a School?? • Take a look at yourself • Examine your values • Think about your level of motivation • Explore your interests • Gather Information • CCC • College view books and publications • College campus visits/fairs/open houses • Published guidebooks • Internet • Local/college libraries

18. Choosing a School (cont’d) • Investigate different types of schools • Universities • Liberal arts colleges • Career schools • Historically black colleges and universities • Community/junior colleges • Women’s/men’s colleges • Do your research • Use websites, printed materials, personal interviews • Be sure to visit the campuses of your top choices

19. When Do I Apply? • PRIORITY FILING: earliest application deadline (Nov. 1); may give student an advantage where space is limited; must have all documents turned in by deadline; used at Univ. of Ill. at Urbana. • REGULAR DECISION: largest selection pool; competing for admission and financial aid left after early admission decisions have been made (applications usually due by Feb. 1) • ROLLING ADMISSIONS: no application deadline; schools accept applications until all spots are filled • WAIT LIST: “We wish we could have you attend our school, but there isn’t any room at this time.” Some schools’ waiting lists have 500 students. Keep applying to other schools! • ACCEPTANCE DEADLINE: the national enrollment confirmation day is May 1; all freshman must commit to the school they will attend by this date • DEFERRED ADMISSION: requesting to postpone college for one year; may have a fee involved

20. What do Admissions Officers Look For? • GPA/Rigor of Curriculum • ACT or SAT scores • Class Rank • Application Essays • Extracurricular Activities • Recommendations (if requested) • Interviews • Intangibles

21. What About the Essay? • Be original • Start early • Relate to college program • Don’t recycle a used essay • Answer the question(s) • Talk about: • Activities • Travel • Favorite sayings • Accomplishments • Shortcomings • Personal traits • Attend a CCC Workshop for guided assistance

22. Student & Parent Responsibilities • Complete college applications on time • Visit potential colleges and/or college fairs • Research financial aid options • Research and apply for scholarships, FAFSA, etc. • Request final transcripts • Keep grades up throughout senior year • Work together to make post-secondary plans • Be honest and open about financial concerns

23. GOOD LUCK!! Come to PPS if you have any questions! Please use the Bremen website often!