Countdown to College & Career

1. Countdown to College & Career Mr. Liegl College and Career Coordinator

2. Define “College” / Post-Secondary “An educational institution or establishment, in particular one providing higher education or specialized professional or vocational training.” Post-secondary education means the education you receive in college, university, or vocational/tech schools. Usually there is an certification pursued when completing this education and a accredited process for the institution.

3. Fall Semester – Traditional College • Continue College Visits – also virtual tours • Determine Application Deadlines & Requirements • Additional SAT/ACT (if needed) • Finalize List of Colleges & Begin Applying • Write Application Essays • Finalize and Submit Applications • Request Transcripts & Send Scores • Complete FAFSA (Opens October 1)

4. Spring Semester – Traditional College • Continue Applying for Scholarships & Loans • Consider Acceptance Letters • Consider Financial Aid Awards • Deciding College Visits • Formally Select a College (by May 1) • Send in Deposit & Housing Form

5. College Admissions Decisions Based on: • GPA & Grade Trends • Rigor of Coursework • ACT/SAT Scores • Competitiveness of program or major • Well Written Essay • Admission Coursework Requirements • Activities, Athletics, Leadership, Service • Demonstrated Interest

6. Admissions Deadlines From NACAC Statement of Principles of Good Practice II. Postsecondary Members - Mandatory Practices (B.12) “All postsecondary members agree they will not establish any application deadlines for first-year candidates for fall admission prior to October 15 and will give equal consideration to all applications received by that date” . There is no competitive advantage to submit an application in August or September . Students can still submit their portions of applications separately from supporting documents

7. The Application Student should visit the college’s website Student may have the option of using: A) the college’s own application B) the Common Application (CA) • If applying to more than 1 CA school, use the CA C) the Coalition Application (CO) • Another way to apply to multiple universities at once • An increasing number of Midwestern universities are accepting it

8. Which Application Process Best Suits You? Non-Restrictive App Plans Best for which students? Early Action “Priority filing period” Often used for scholarships or honors program deadline Rolling Admission Applications are processed as they are received Regular Decision Latest possible deadline by when one can apply EA and RA are best for students who would like to apply early and receive a decision early EA is best for all students to be considered for merit scholarships Non-restrictive plans are best for students who want to compare offers and financial packages from multiple colleges

9. Which Application Process Best Suits You? Restrictive App Plans Best for which students? Early Decision (binding) Restrictive Early Action (non-binding) • Can only apply to one college through ED or REA • Requires a discussion with counselor • Parents, student & counselor must sign agreement Only for those who: • Have a definite first-choice college • Are confident about how they intend to finance their education • Are prepared to pay the sticker price

10. How Many Applications? • Research & Refine List Before Applying • Keep It Manageable! • Generally Speaking: 4-6 apps • Highly Selective Universities or Majors: Encouraged to Apply to More • Balanced Strategy – Academic/Social/Financial • Safety • Match • Reach

11. Parents Need to Resist the Urge • Complete the student’s application • Write the student’s essay • Contact the college representative on behalf of the student Admissions’ Counselors Know

12. Letters of Recommendation Students Should Students Shouldn’t • Do research on college websites • Allow adequate time, 3-4 weeks notice • Ask recommenders face-to-face • Contact counselor directly for LOR • Provide a written sheet indicating the student’s name, the school, a brief list of accomplishments, and the deadline (Letter of Recommendation Survey) • Ask for a letter if the college does not require one • Ask for more than one letter unless a college requires it • Ask a teacher from freshman year • Forget to thank the recommender

13. Sending Test Scores to Colleges • Students must have test scores sent directly from the testing agency to the college. Allow ample time. • www.collegeboard.org SAT • www.actstudent.org ACT • There is a fee charged by the testing agency to send scores to a school not selected when taking the test. • Fee waivers are available to select students. Ask your CCC or counselor.

14. Academics: Additional ACT/SAT Scores SAT Date Reg Late Reg Oct. 5 Sept. 6 Sept. 24 Nov. 2 Oct. 3 Oct. 22 Dec. 7 Nov. 8 Nov. 26 ACT Date Reg Late Reg Sept. 14 Aug. 16 Aug. 30 Oct. 26 Sept. 20 Oct. 4 Dec. 14 Nov. 8 Nov. 22

15. Community Colleges • Generally, community colleges are open enrollment, which means that any high school graduate is eligible to attend. But some programs are selective with limited enrollment.  • Even programs that are open enrollment do not automatically register students for college-level classes. In order to determine if remedial or developmental course work is necessary, community colleges require placement tests. • Admission, advising, and enrollment are possible during the spring for RCC, KCC, and HCC.

16. Apprenticeships • Run by an employer or union • Teach skills for a specific trade • Apprentice usually pays only for tools/supplies • Apprentice agrees to work for a minimum time after completing apprenticeship Needed to Apply • At least 18 years old • High School Diploma or GED • Pass a Drug Test • Interview • Possible Math Pre-Requisites

17. Military Service Initial commitment: typically 4 years active duty and 2 years inactive • You must be a U.S. citizen or a resident alien. • Be between the ages of 17-34. ... • Have a high school diploma • Have no more than two dependents • Take and pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test • Pass a Military Entrance Processing Station medical exam (MEPS)

18. Military Service: Steps for Enlisting • Contact the Recruiter • Report to MEPS • Take Your ASVAB Army 31 Marine Corps 32 Navy 35 Coast Guard 40 Air Force 36 National Guard 31 • Have Your Physical Exam • Meet With a Career Counselor Long-term career vs. continued training/education • Await Orders for Basic Training

19. Determining Your “Best Postsecondary fit” social financial

20. Financial expected family contribution cost of attendance • Sticker price vs. Net price • Types of financial aid available • Gift (scholarships, grants) • Self-help (loans, work study) financial need

21. Financial Maximum Award Amounts for 2017-2018 • State of Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP) • Federal Pell Grant • Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) Total = $15,063 * Based on funding as of publication date. Announced grant awards could increase or decrease throughout the academic year.

22. Scholarships from Colleges • Each college or university offers scholarships and grants directly to its admitted students. • Scholarships and grants do not need to be repaid. • Some scholarships are automatically awarded to the students based on their application information. • To receive most merit-based scholarships, the Undergraduate Application is all you need to complete to be considered. • Other university scholarships require an additional application that can be found on its website. • Each college/university will have different scholarship deadlines.

23. General Scholarships • Located under College and Career Center on the high school website • College Greenlight • FastWeb – www.fastweb.com • Student Scholarships– www.studentscholarships.org Sites allow the students to: • Search for local, state and national scholarships and grants • Identify scholarships based on your academics, community service activities, talents and interests.

24. SVHS Scholarships • Located under the College and Career Center on the high school website • Posted at the End of December • Applications Due by Feb. 3rd

25. Senior Year Counts Colleges do revoke offers for admission. Scholarship awards can be revoked. Possible Reasons • Change in senior class load • Change in grades • Lie, cheat, steal, and/or violating the law  • Morals clauses

26. Important Dates Seniors Countdown to College & Career August 26th 6:30-7:15 Postsecondary Options September 16th 6:30-7:30 RVC College Fair October 2nd 6:00 start National College Fair October 4th All day FAFSA Night October 15th 6:00 start

27. Additional resources www.studentportal.isac.org www.isac.org www.StudentAid.gov