Countdown to College

1. Countdown to College Student Services Department Riverside Brookfield High School September 3, 2019

2. College Planning Information at RB • College Application Filing Process • Using Naviance to view application status • College Reps visits at RBHS • Financial Aid • Scholarship Opportunities

3. Application Filing Process • Completing the college application • Essays & personal statements • Letters of recommendation from counselors/teachers • Requesting ACT, SAT, & AP scores • Transcript requests • Putting the pieces together

4. Completing the Application • Online • Resume of extra-curricular activities • Sports • Clubs/organizations • Leadership positions • Volunteer hours/service projects • Honors/awards • Check application deadlines • Early Decision (Binding Agreement) • Early Action • Priority Filing

5. Common Application • Every school on Common App has its own requirements listed - some require supplemental essays • What do you need to fill out your Common app? • A copy of your transcript • Resume of activities • Test scores and test dates • Parent/guardian legal information • Form of payment • Teachers will upload letters of recommendation and Common App evaluation forms to Naviance

6. Common Application • FERPA - Sign in Common App, Sync with Naviance

7. College Essays • Students should start essays now. • Ask a counselor for direction and ideas. • Ask an English teacher for help. • Be sure to answer the essay question asked. • Avoid writing a “laundry list” of achievements. • Focus more on one or two experiences. • Proofread, proofread, proofread! • Essay Writing Workshop • Wednesday, October 2nd - 7th Hour • Sign up in Student Services

8. Letters of Recommendations • Counselor recommendations • Students complete the “Senior Questionnaire” form. • Please give your counselor at least 2 weeks notice. • Teacher recommendations • Give teachers at least 2 weeks notice. • Ask teachers early – many of the same teachers get asked. • Provide teachers with a college list. • Remember to write a “thank you” note. • Junior year teachers are a good choice. • Teachers upload their letters to Naviance.

9. Requesting ACT, SAT & AP Scores • Students request scores from ACT or College Board. • No test scores are indicated on the transcripts • Request test scores as soon as possible. • ACT scores • www.actstudent.org • $12.00 per score per school, $16.50 per score for priority • SAT & AP scores • www.collegeboard.com • $12.00 per score per school • On fee waiver? Ask counselor about free reports.

10. Requesting a Transcript • All transcripts are processed by Ms. Englehart, not the counselors. • A $10.oo fee was included on students’ fee statements. • Complete a request form for every college. • Forms are available in Student Services and on the Student Services webpage. • Parents must sign the request if the student is under 18. • Please allow 10 school days for requests to be processed.

11. Putting the Pieces Together • Students should set up an appointment with their counselor after applications have been submitted. • Counselors will go through the transcript release forms with the student. • Most transcripts and letters will be sent electronically to colleges through Naviance (e-Docs).

12. Student Services Website

13. View Status on Naviance

14. Still College Searching? • NACAC College Fair at McCormick Place, Chicago • Saturday, October 5, 2019 from 11am to 3pm • College of DuPage Fair • Tuesday, October 15, 2019 from 6pm to 8pm • Visit college campuses. • Parent/Student Evening programs at various locations • Use Naviance for college searches. • Continue to talk with your counselor.

15. College Rep Visits at RBHS

16. Signing Up For College Reps

17. Financing Your Education • FAFSA • Free Application for Federal Student Aid • October 1, 2019 • Expected Family Contribution (EFC) • Determines eligibility for federal, state, and college sponsored financial aid including grants, loans and work-study programs. • CSS (College Scholarship Service Profile) • Net Price Calculator

18. Net Price Calculator –Duke Example Estimated Cost of Attendance $79,108 Estimated Grant/Gift Aid $62,308 Estimated Net Price $16,800 Calculated Family Contribution $9,600 Parent and Student Potential Self Help Opportunities $7,200 Student Loans and Work Estimated Remaining Costs$0 *The above example assumes combined parental income of $85,000, savings of $40,000, and home equity of $100,000.

19. Financing Your Education Help • College Planning Tips for Seniors and Parents • Tuesday, September 24 from 7:00-8:00 (Auditorium) • FAFSA Workshop at RBHS • Date and Time - TBD (Library & Computer Labs) • “Don’t Pay the College Sticker Price” • January 21, 2020 (Auditorium)

20. National Scholarship Opportunities • General Scholarships • Located under College and Career Information on the Student Services homepage General Scholarships • Each scholarship varies in qualifications and application deadlines. • Updated as scholarship information is received from the organizations offering the scholarship • Other Resources • FastWeb – www.fastweb.com • Student Scholarships– www.studentscholarships.org • Search for local, state and national scholarships and grants • Identify scholarships based on your academics, community service activities, talents and interests.

21. Local Scholarship Opportunities • Located under Local Scholarships on the Student Services homepage Local Scholarships Link • Riverside-Brookfield students only • Academic, athletic, and community service scholarships • Awards range from $500 to $7500. • Students can apply for and receive multiple scholarships. • Applications posted on the Student Services homepage in mid-February 2020 • Deadline for applications will be in mid-March 2020.

22. University Scholarships • Each college or university offers scholarships and grants directly to its admitted students. • Do not need to be repaid • Some scholarships are automatically awarded to the students based on their application information. • Other university scholarships require an additional application that can be found on its website. • Each college/university will have different scholarship deadlines.

23. Student Services Communication • Remind - informational text about events, deadlines, etc. • Text “@msleiteri” to “81010” • Facebook - RBHS Student Services • Twitter - @rbstudentservic

24. Please welcome Christine Grenier Elmhurst College Senior Director, First-Year Admission