Rising Senior Night

1. Rising Senior Night Monday, May 13, 2013 Pisgah High School Counseling Center

2. Welcome to Pisgah High School’s “Rising Senior Night”Monday, May 13, 20136:30 PM • Cindy Smathers • Graduation Supplies (for Jostens) • Tammy Ensley • Yearbook / Senior Photos • Special Guest: Laura Misner, College Foundation of North Carolina • How to create an account • Benefits of www.cfnc.org • Lori Mills • Introduction to counselors • Survey • Transcripts • Spelling for diploma • Parent communication: Web Site, Newsletters, Alert Now • Stan Blackburn • Testing • College Research: Open House, College Visits, College Fairs • Special Guest: Rachel Huffman, NC State University • ASPIRE to improve your ACT results • Teresa Heinz • Application Process • Essay, references, “counselor statement” • David Pressley, Athletic Director • College athletics • Eligibility

3. SAT Information • www.collegeboard.org • 2013-14 Test Dates --Oct 5 --March 8 --Nov 2 --May 3 AT PISGAH --Dec 7 --June 7 --Jan 25 Registration deadlines are currently unavailable, but tend to be approximately 30 days prior to the test date. • Cost $50.00 for 2012-13

4. ACT Information • www.actstudent.org • Cost $50.50 (for ACT Plus Writing) • 2013-2014 Test Dates • Sept 21 (Reg by Aug 23) • Oct 26 (Reg by Sept 27) • Dec 14 AT PISGAH (Reg by Nov 8) • Spring dates are really only for non-Seniors OR applicants who have been given the opportunity to try to improve their score. • Feb 8 (Reg by Jan 10) • April 12 (Reg by Mar 7) • June 14 (Reg by May 9

5. Accuplacer Information • http://accuplacer.collegeboard.org/students/accuplacer-tests • More information about study hints and how/when to sign up for the test is also available at http://www.haywood.edu/counseling/placement_testing

6. College Research • School web sites • CFNC website: every 2-year and 4-year, public and private school in North Carolina • “Open House” events • College Fair at HCC and Asheville Mall sometime early fall

7. Kinds of schools… • In-state vs. Out-of-state: Your tax money helps fund in-state public schools…that is why you do not have to pay “out-of-state” tuition for NC schools, but you do for other states’ public schools. • Public vs. Private: Your tax money helps fund in state public schools…that is why the tuition is GENERALLY lower for public schools than for private schools. • 2-year vs. 4-year schools: Two year schools offer diplomas, certificates, and associate degrees in a variety of program areas….as well as the opportunity to take “general education” courses that will transfer to a 4-year school (which offers bachelors degrees) for a fraction of the cost.

8. Two-Year Schools:Application Timeline FALL • Make sure your school of interest offers the program you want! • Apply (usually online); can be done early 2nd semester—but many students apply during “College Application Week” in November. Check with the school: SOME programs (especially medical) have EARLIER DEADLINES! • Check the school’s website for a “checklist” of requirements; some require a visit! SPRING • Accuplacer Testing (usually 2nd semester) • FAFSA (apply for any federal money AND let the financial aid office know your “expected family contribution”) AFTER January 1, 2014 • Continue to apply for scholarships second semester… even more will come available. • Final Transcript

9. 4-Year SchoolsApplication Timeline FALL: • Choosea “safety” school, a “dream” school, and 1 or 2 in between: Be aware that ALL will charge an application fee! Make sure that all, in fact, offer a program of interest to you! • Visit…. • SAT or ACT (preferably at least once your junior year and again in the fall of your senior year) • Apply (by Thanksgiving is our advice!) • Make sure you save / write down / remember your user name and passwordfor all the online sites you will use (online applications, SAT/ ACT, CFNC, etc.)! • Financial Aid (scholarships / grants) is different at every school: Some require separate application(s) while some do not. Contact the school or check their websitefor their procedure and deadlines! SPRING: • FAFSA(grants/ loans) allows you to apply for any federal money AND let the financial aid office know your “expected family contribution”. Access online AFTER January 1, 2014. • Continue to apply for scholarships second semester when even more will come available. • Make a decision! Based on which schools sent an “acceptance” letter and (if applicable) which schools offered you a financial aid package that will work for your family, send in your decision in writing! • Final Transcript

10. Application Helpful Hints • Keep a folder with your awards/accomplishments. • Go ahead and make a “resume” (extracurricular activities—school AND community), awards, work experience, volunteer experience) that you can save, edit, reprint as needed throughout the year! • Proofread and complete EVERY question. • Read the entire application. IF there is a “counselor statement” page, be sure to print it and take it to your counselor! • Make sure you include ALL required parts: application, transcript, test scores, essay (?), reference (?), counselor statement (?)

11. Letter of Recommendation… • Ask someone who knows you WELL and will say good things! • Give them 2 weeks notice! • Ask them to please save a copy---if you need another later! • Give them a stamped, addressed envelope or give them specific directions to whom they should give the letter (or form). • Tell them thank you---card is nice!

12. Essays.... • Not a list! They already have your application and/or resume. Highlight ONE thing that makes you “stand out”! • Yes, tell the good things about yourself! You are not bragging… you are marketing! What do YOU have to offer this college OR why are you a good investment for this scholarship committee? • Be specific. Not “I learned a lot”…but “I learned ________”! Does not have to be LONG to be powerful. Show depth and thought and effort. • Proofread. Ask others you trust to proofread. Be sure to demonstrate good spelling, punctuation, and grammar! • Type—or write neatly in blue/black ink. • Really THINKabout YOUR goals (as of now): “a college degree, a good job, and happiness” does not sound very specific, does it? • Out of the hundreds of applications they read, what do you want them to remember about YOU? Save it! Don’t use it again (without editing) if the question does NOT fit, but you may very well be asked to submit a “personal statement” more than once!

13. Sample questions to consider… • Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and describe its impact on you. • Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern, and its importance to you. • Indicate a character in fiction, a historical character, or a creative work (art, music, science) that has had an influence on you and describe that influence. • What would be the title of your autobiography? Why? • Please share with us your definition of diversity and the role it has played in your own learning and development. • Please write a brief essay about the person, place, or event that has had the greatest influence on your life, and what influence you expect ______College to have on your life. • Ask and answer the one important question you wish we had asked. From “Sample College Application Essay Questions” College Counseling Sourcebook 6th Edition. 2009 The College Board