COLLEGE INFORMATION NIGHT

1. COLLEGE INFORMATION NIGHT Wednesday, September 24, 2014 Regina High School 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.

2. Contact Information 586-585-0500 Mrs. Mary Berschback Mrs. Nicole Leonard Seniors Freshmen Juniors Q-Z Juniors H-P x227 x228 mberschback@reginahs.com nleonard@reginahs.com Mrs. Amy Dulgerian Mrs. Terese Pauken Sophomores Guidance Secretary Juniors A-G x226 x229 tpauken@reginahs.com adulgerian@reginahs.com

3. Agenda Overview Senior Year – Mrs. Mary Berschback Overview Guidance Website – Mrs. Amy Dulgerian Overview Junior Year – Mrs. Nicole Leonard

4. Timeline - Senior Year College applications – the process Attend visits with college reps. at Regina Retake ACT/SAT (U of M and MSU require official scores sent from ACT company) Local College Fairs: Tomorrow, 9/25 at the Warren City Hall 2014-2015 College Fair schedule go to: www.macrao.org

5. Timeline - Senior Year For current announcements go to www.reginahs.com and click on Guidance Tab and then Counselors’ News Briefs Visit college campuses Attend Financial Aid Night obtain a PIN from FAFSA website Review acceptance offers (keep all documents regarding scholarship offers until after graduation) Finalize decision by May 1

6. College Application Process Discuss realistic options Financial considerations Apply to 3+ schools Safety school Match school Reach school Check schools’ deadlines Rolling Admissions (U of M – Feb. 1) Regular Admissions (Boston College – Jan. 1) Early Action - Early Notification Financial Aid Apply before October 31 (if possible)

7. College Application Process Complete college application online (required) Submit payment (application fees vary) by credit card. Order transcript via Parchment (small fee may be required for some colleges) 90% of MI colleges utilize Parchment 10% utilize Common App

8. College Application Process Application Components Online Application Application fee (credit card or check directly mailed to admissions of college) Electronic transcript: includes all semester grades, 9 – 11; class rank; and ACT test scores (unofficial, but accepted by most colleges) Letter(s) of recommendation, if needed, by more selective schools, (check first with the school website to see if required) Essay(s) if needed

9. Sample Criteria Michigan State University Rolling admissions (through July 30) Early notification: October 17, 2014** Financial aid: January 1 – March 15 for best results SAT or ACT: must be sent FROM the testing service Essay: personal statement **by invitation only from MSU

10. Sample Criteria University of Michigan Exclusively Common App Early action (Nov. 1 – non binding – will receive decision by December 24) December 1 deadline: music, theater & dance Equal consideration deadline: February 1, 2015 Financial aid: Apply January 1 – March 15 for best results SAT or ACT: must be sent FROM the testing service Essay, Short response questions, Recommendation letters

11. Teacher RecommendationsHighly Selective Colleges Only! Ask 11th/12th grade teachers (core subject) Allow at least 2 weeks notice Supply the teacher with your resume/activity sheet Ask the teacher to turn the letter in to the guidance office, or indicate if they are submitting online Remind the teacher to keep a copy in case you need additional letters Wait two weeks, then confirm with the teacher that the letter was handed in or submitted online Follow up with a “thank you” note to the teacher

12. When you write your essay… Start early Read the directions carefully: answer the question!! Tell the truth about yourself Focus on your best side: what sets you apart! Tie yourself to the college Speak positively Write about your greatest assets & achievements Wow Writing Workshop, LLC wowwritingworkshop.com 800-497-WRITE

13. ResumeAlso helpful for scholarship apps! Keep to one page Use quality paper Make it easy to read Be specific Include address, phone & e-mail address Include academics, athletics, activities, honors, volunteer/community service & work experience A good start is the EDP on Career Cruising Everyone has a resume by the end of Junior year

14. Common Application Now exclusively used by University of Michigan and several other MI colleges Most state of MI colleges still offer their own applications Transcript is included in the Common App Used by 500+ institutions Some schools use the Common App as an option – you have a choice Supplements are generally required for each college Go to: www.commonapp.org

15. Campus Visits Go online to schedule a visit or call the school’s Admissions Office With your campus tour ask to sit in on a class have lunch in a dining hall stay overnight in a dorm meet with a financial aid rep., if possible Pick a day the college is in session (week day) October 15 is Testing Day at RHS- no school for Seniors See Regina school calendar for short schedule days Saturday campus visit days on are also good opportunities

16. Financial Aid Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Paper application (discouraged) Web-based worksheet www.fafsa.ed.gov(faster results) EVERYONE IS ENCOURAGED TO COMPLETE THIS FORM! Go on the website now to obtain your PIN number, both parents and students.

17. FAFSA -on-line – Fafsa.ed.gov Financial aid information is available in the counseling office File January 1 through February 15 Use estimated tax information from 2013 if your actual figures are not available Amend your estimated figures as soon as possible New Feature: you can electronically import your tax return information (1040 Form) into the FAFSA form Make a copy for your files Be aware of CSS Profile deadline– addendum to FAFSA – required by some schools. Juniors can use the FAFSA 4caster link now available at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/fotw1112/help/complete001.htm

18. Scholarships & Financial Aid www.fastweb.com financial aid search through the web Search more than 375,000 listings Scholarships: check Regina’s tab under Guidance Grants Loans Free website Local scholarship opportunities are the most beneficial, i.e. Elks Club, your employer, city governments, etc. DO NOT be scammed by those promising to get you scholarships if you sign up for their services.

19. Financial Aid Financial Aid Nights are available through Macomb Community College: Wednesday, November 6* – 6 – 8 p.m. South Campus Wednesday, November 20* – 6 - 8:00 p.m. Center CampusWednesday, December 11* - 6 – 8:00 p.m. South Campus (A Financial Aid professional will be presenting) *Additional dates available in early 2014 College Goal Sunday… FREE assistance with your FAFSA! February 9, 2014 2 - 4 p.m. Go to: http://www.micollegegoal.org/Students/Home/tabid/1350/Default.aspx

20. RHS Website Guidance Tab www.reginahs.com Overview Calendar College Information College Scholarships Career Information Career and College Timeline Counselor News Briefs

21. RHS Website Overview

40. Timeline - Junior Year Individual meetings with Counselor Attend college presentations at RHS Attend local college fairs/nights PSAT – Oct. 15th (in school) ACT/MME Test Prep after school beginning in Jan. MME – March 4th, 5th, and 6th, 2014 Follow-up to determine re-testing on ACT and/or SAT testing Juniors are the only students in attendance on March 4th End-of-year curriculum planning for senior year

41. Timeline - Junior Year AP Testing - May Career Cruising Create a tentative list of colleges Develop a student resume Spring – Summer – Fall - Visit college campuses Summer - Work on essays and resumes and continue ACT prep

42. Choosing a College Type of School Two year or four year Public or private Single sex or coed Religious affiliation Location In-state Out-of-state Campus setting Urban Suburban Rural College search programs www.careercruising.com www.princetonreview.com www.petersons.com www.collegeboard.com

43. Choosing a College School Size Small (fewer than 2,000 students) Medium (2,000 - 15,000) Large (15,000+) Diversity Percent of students with minority backgrounds Percent of out-of-state students Activities & Sports Greek life Choir/dance/radio/etc. Div. I, II, III Athletics or club/intramural

44. Choosing a College Majors and Academics Rugg’s Recommendations Admissions Requirements Curriculum GPA Test Scores Cost and financial aid Tuition Need-based aid

45. College Admissions Criteria • Grades / Curriculum • ACT / SATScores • Extra CurricularActivities

46. College Visits Calendar – at RHS SEPTEMBERThursday, Sept 26th: Albion College, University of DaytonMonday, Sept. 30th: Adrian College, Saginaw Valley State University OCTOBER Wednesday, Oct. 2nd: Oakland UniversityThursday, Oct. 3rd: Aquinas College, Hope College, Wayne State UniversityMonday, October 7th: Northern Michigan University, U of M (Ann Arbor)Tuesday, October 8th: Alma CollegeWednesday, October 9th: Madonna UniversityTuesday, October 15th: Northwood University, St. Mary’s College (Indiana)Monday, October 21st: Loyola UniversityThursday, October 24th: Lawrence Tech NOVEMBER Friday, November 1st: Grand Valley State UniversityMonday, November 18th: Central Michigan University MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED…

47. College Nights Calendar – local OCTOBER Monday, Oct. 7th – Troy Athens High School 6:30pm – 8:00pm Tuesday, Oct. 8th – Wayne County Community College6:30pm – 8:00pmThursday, Oct. 10th – Wayne State University8:45am – 1:00pm Monday, Oct. 14th – Bloomfield Hills High School6:30pm – 8:00pmTuesday, Oct. 15th – Notre Dame Prep School9:00am – 11:00amTuesday, Oct. 15th – Royal Oak High School6:00pm – 8:30pmTuesday, Oct. 22nd – Rochester High School6:30pm – 8:00pm Wednesday, Oct. 23rd – Cousino High School6:00pm – 7:30pm