General Information

1. General Information The College Process begins……………….

2. Educational Career Plan • Why it is important • Make sure you have met ALL requirements for graduation!!! • Double check with Course History • Advisors will have these for you!!! • Relation to Academies & Future Plans • Revised Yearly (or more)

3. Where should I be now? • Graduation Requirements • Specific credits, 25 total credits, S. Learning… • College Searching • Narrow colleges choices- 3-5 • Reach schools & Safety schools • SAT’s/Act’s- taken at least once • Re-take date: Oct 4th (register by Sept 9th) • Job Shadow • Opportunities still exist!

4. Types of Schools • 2 Year College • Community College • 4 Year College or University • Military Academies • Business, Technical or Trade School All have different requirements!!

5. Community College (2 year) • Times have changed! • Carroll Community College • www.carrollcc.edu • Hills Scholar Program • Accuplacer

6. YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

7. MY RESPONSIBILITIES

8. College Applications • Where do you get it? • On- line • Common Application • What’s included? • Requirements- Essay, letters of recommendation,… • Admission DEADLINES • Is there an application Fee?

9. What if I’m behind? • College searches: • www.princetonreview.com- - Counselor-O-Matic • www.collegeboard.com- College Search Engine • Meet with a Peer Facilitator or ME • Talk with Parents, Teachers, Advisors…

10. Transcript Requests • Forms in Guidance- 1 form per request • Must be made 10 school days prior to date needed • Official vs. Unofficial • 3 FREE, $1 each after that • Must be mailed directly to school, scholarship, ..etc. or it is unofficial • What’s included? (see next slide)

11. What is included on a Transcript? • All courses taken to date & final grades earned • Including levels, AP courses,..etc. • Cumulative Grade Point Average • Class Rank • Testing Information (SAT, ACT, AP) • Unless you mark for us NOT to send them • Many schools require you to send them from collegeboard • Copy of most recent report card (if available) • Copy of schedule for the year • Grades- courses in progress (if earned at the time)

12. Test scores GPA Strength of Schedule Attendance Extracurricular- in & out of school Clubs, sports, church Talent, Skills, Uniqueness Service Learning Application Essay Letters of Recommendation Interview What are colleges looking for?

13. Weighted vs. Un-weighted Grades • All Level 8 classes are weighted • A= 5.0 • B= 4.0 • C= 3.0 • D/F- not weighted • All AP courses are Level 8 • Both are provided on transcript

14. Recommendation Letters • Do I need them? • When? • Who? • How?

15. Do I need recommendations? • Check your application- not all schools require them • If they do, they will specify the number of letters they require • And they may specify WHO you must select: • Teacher, Community member, Counselor…

16. WHEN should I ask? • 1st- Review college applications • Remember application deadlines • NOW is the time- start thinking! • MINIMUM of 3 weeks

17. WHO should I ask? • Follow college criteria • Someone who knows you BEST! • Academics AND Other, if possible • Take NO for an answer! Choose wisely!

18. HOW should I ask? • Always in person • Plenty of Notice (3 weeks or more!) • Provide: • Sr. Activity Form or Resume • My Senior Recommendation Request Form (on-line) or some form of personal information • Other information you feel is important or that you would like to be focused upon in the letter of recommendation

19. Our School Website and the Senior Recommendation Request Form… • If a letter of recommendation from Mrs. Hunsicker is needed, please visit our web site (https//www.centuryhigh.org) under the School Counseling Tab then under College/Postsecondary. Complete the Senior Recommendation Request form, which includes a copy of the Senior Activity Form. • To use the senior recommendation request form on our school website, please copy and paste the form into a Microsoft word document. Additional space may be added beneath each question to make room for answers to the questions asked. • After completing the questionnaire please e-mail the document to Mrs. McKeiver at hmmckei@k12.carr.org.

20. REMEMBER… • It’s not about what you did, its about who you are! • It’s about your CHARACTER • What makes you stand out from the crowd? • Give additional information that is helpful and NOT just a list of accomplishments • Include personal issues if needed for clarification • Personal goals, specific details,…

21. Sources of Information - Where to go from here? • College websites & search engines • Scholarship searches- see handout • Books from Guidance • Colleges/University materials • Ask Around

22. College Visits & Tours • When? • NOW • 2 days in Senior year • What do you do and why?

23. The Dreaded College Essay!!! • Do they really read it? • What to write about? • Ask for Help!

24. Divisions- Athletics • Division I, II, III- What’s the difference? • Division I • Division II • Division III • NCAA Clearinghouse

25. When you say, “Nobody ever told me…” • Pay attention!!!! • Newsletters- School, Guidance, Scholarship…. • School website • Morning & Afternoon announcements • Advisory • Know where to get help- resources • Who, What, When, Where • Don’t be afraid to ask! • Start NOW to plan for the future!

26. Moving on………………. • Any questions?????