Welcome To The Parents ’ Guide to the Senior Year

1. Welcome To The Parents’ Guide to the Senior Year OR August 2013

2. I have a senior and I am… confused, scared, freaked out, excited, can’t wait ‘til they leave, needing direction, wanting to hold on a little longer…(all in two seconds time)

3. A demonstration of the senior decision-making process…

4. I know EXACTLY where I am going and what I am doing.

5. For the MOST PART… I know what I am doing and where I am going.

6. Not so much…

7. I have NO EARTHLY idea…

9. Having discussions about finances • Disappointing family members • Change • Leaving friends or letting friends choose • Balancing & prioritizing • Making the RIGHT decision Other Topics to Tackle in the Decision-Making Process

10. How do Parents help? • Be informed • Be a coach • Let them do the work

11. You will never know it all. • You can’t ask too many questions or have too many contacts. • The process works best when your senior is initiating and doing most of the work. • If it sounds too good to be true, it is. General Guide Points

12. More kids going to school (2-year and 4-year) • Fewer kids finishing college (less than 40%) • Less than that end up a career that fits the degree (25%) • More kids getting out after 1-2 years…owing a lot of money and not having a high enough salary to pay the debt • Dramatic increase in the number of students defaulting on school loans • School loans are not forgivable, even in bankruptcy Knowing the Game Has Changed…

13. Finding the MATCH is more important than ever • Academic match • Career match • Financial match • Social match • Knowing the difference between good and bad debt • Total loan amount should be LESS than 30% of what he/she can expect to make his/her first year out of college So…what does that mean?

14. Awarded to students who excel in academics, athletics, performance and other skills. Used to attract “the best and brightest”. Learning to “package” yourself and match your interests and abilities to the institution is key. Merit Scholarships

15. MERIT-BASED Scholarships Need-Based Scholarships Financial Aid

16. Need is determined by information you provide on the FAFSA using 2013 income tax information. Most communication will be with the financial aid department at the prospective college. To specifically address this topic, we will have a meeting in January. Need-Based Scholarships

17. Cost of Tuition & Required Fees Rates reflect one semester based on 15 credit hours TUITION ONLY. *Kansas Universities are still less costly when compared to in-state tuition & fees in Missouri, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Colorado, & Iowa.http://www.kansasregents.org/board_approves_state_university_tuition_rates

18. RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS • Missouri -- $9035 • Colorado -- $8166 • *Kansas -- $7678 • Oklahoma -- $7716 • Nebraska -- $7563 • Iowa -- $7563 • AVERAGE -- $8240 • *KSU, KU, WSU REGIONAL INSTITUTIONS • Iowa – $7008 • Missouri -- $6188 • Nebraska -- $5781 • Colorado -- $5935 • *Kansas -- $4867 • Oklahoma -- $4751 • AVERAGE -- $5654 * ESU, PSU, FHSU Regional Comparison (IN-STATE) In otherwords…Kansas has several affordable options.

19. When looking at colleges, gone are the days of “the experience” • Focus should be “bang for your buck” • Frank discussions at home about finances and reality • Marketable skills -- pay attention to the world of work and economy • In the end…they’ve got to find a job College is a MEANS to and END

20. ACT Scores • higher the better • Apply (3-5) • Consult with others • teachers • parents • counselors • graduates • College Visit • representatives at school • on campus visits • phone or email • brochures, websites & catalogues Beginning Points

21. www.act.org -- Do not register for your student! • Important cut off scores • 21 • 24 • 27 • 30 • 32 + ACT Scores

22. Close to a “cut off score” • Dedicated to prepping • Tested only once • Consider taking the SAT if… • Going out of state • Needing to try a different type of test • Check PSAT scores • STUDENT needs to register! ACT: retake or not

23. Safe School www.butlercc.edu • Moderate Range School www.wichita.edu • Reach School (Rice University in Houston) http://www.futureowls.rice.edu/futureowls/Freshman.asp?SnID=796568928 • Beginning of October • Reach Schools – check deadlines and will take more time and resources • Application fees. . . Application for ADMISSION: Which ones & When?

24. Application • Transcript – (via parchment.com) – students are registering through English class • Grades • GPA • Rank • *Test Scores • Application fee for MOST 4-year institutions • Additional requested information Application for ADMISSION: What do I need to include?

25. Seniors have 5 college visits per semester that do not count against attendance • Purple Visit Form • Senior Days http://www.ku.edu/visit/ • Individual visit WITH parent • Parent calls in to excuse • Bring back signed form to waive • College students claim that the VISIT influenced their decision to attend more than COST. College Visits #1 Factor

26. Universities • academic • performance • service • Departmental Scholarships • Local Scholarships • National Scholarships Where Do I Look for the $?

27. Apply EARLY for admission • Apply EARLY for scholarship • Contact financial aid department • Keep a list of contacts & numbers • Fill out FAFSA in January and turn in quickly • Don’t wait to file taxes • Athletes contact coaches • Utilize CoreCourseGPA.com • NCAA or NAIA requirements University $$$$

28. Declare a major (if possible) • Contact Dean of Department • call • campus visit • ask about scholarship opportunities • Check into working on campus in that department Departmental $$

29. Wendy’s Heisman • Goddard Pride Band • NHS • Workplace (student & parent) • Wilbur Floyd Memorial • Eston Beery Memorial • John Markham Memorial • Dan Pfiester Memorial • Eilert Family Performing Arts Scholarship • Lions Club Scholarship • Wichita Panhellenic • West Wichita Rotary Club • Church Match Scholarships • Other GHS Only Scholarships as added (see Kim Hoetmer if you are interested in sponsoring a new scholarship!) Local Scholarships $

30. Some examples • Coca-Cola Scholars • Wal-Mart • Target • Toyota • Asthma Athlete Keep in Mind • highly competitive • very selective • national • few get them • specialty • if you meet the requirements…apply National Scholarships

31. PRIDE • Internet searches • Bulletin board/posters • Scholarship rack • Announcements • Workplace • Church • Community Where To Look . . .

32. Popular Internet Sites • http://www.collegeguidanceconsultants.com • www.fastweb.com • http://ghs.goddardusd.com/ • www.finaid.com • SHOULD BE FREE OF CHARGE! Computer Aided Searches

33. Completed application • Have someone proof • Recommendations • Transcript • Essay • Resume/Activity Chart • Beat the deadline • Keep a copy of everything (even if you submit online – print out • Addressed correctly • Follow up • Keep a calendar Scholarship Application

34. College Prep Grades • Cumulative GPA • Test Scores • Counselor Recommendations • Teacher Recommendations • Interview • Field of Study • Community Service • Extracurricular • Work • Essay • Personal Recognition • LEADERSHIP Factors Influencing the Decision

35. 10 Scholarship Mistakes to Avoid • Waiting until the senior year to worry about GPA • Failing to take (or dropping) challenging courses • Thinking, “I won’t qualify for scholarships.” • Not getting involved in extra-curricular activities • Waiting too long to begin the scholarship search • Not following applications instructions • Not choosing references wisely or in time • Turning in sloppy, mistake-filled application • Missing the application deadline

36. And the #1 scholarship mistake . . . Not being committed to the time and energy needed for success in the scholarship process!!!!!!!!!

37. NOW: Begin applying • Online when possible (ex. KU available starting 9/1) • GOAL: Beginning October • NOW: Start scholarship search • ASAP: Visit, get information • Soon: Narrow your choices • September 20: Registration deadline for October ACT • October: Attend Futures Fair & retake ACT The “To Do List” Begins

38. Senior Seminars (voluntary sign ups during school hours) • Senior Meetings (monthly through English 12 class) • Scholarships (Sept. 6) • SENIOR PRIDE!!!!!!!! (exciting changes!) • “TESTRAVAGANZA DAY” (mid October) • Futures Fair – October 7 evening program for seniors & parents • Graduate Panel (early January – weather permitting) • Financial Aid (early January) • End of Year Feedback, Forms, Scholarship Sheet (late April) • Graduation Meeting (late April – early May) GHS -- Guiding Your Senior

39. Hours: 7:15 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. • Phone: 316-794-4115 • Email: • mmurray.cline@goddardusd.com (A-L) • khoetmer@goddardusd.com (M-Z) We’re here to help!

40. http://ghs.goddardusd.com/ -- COUNSELING TAB Check Out Our Website

41. change is constant. . . • let go and let them… • follow your heart. . . • focus on the journey. . . • stay learning. . . • Hug ‘em & tell them you love ‘em every chance you get! Isaac Hoetmer, Class of 2012 Attending Wichita State University Hannah Hoetmer, Class of 2013 Wichita State University A Message for the Future

42. You Are Important in this process!Thank you for your time tonight. . .