COLLEGE INFORMATION NIGHT

1. COLLEGE INFORMATION NIGHT Wednesday, September 28, 2011 Regina High School 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.

2. Contact Information 586-585-0500 Mrs. Mary Berschback Ms. Corinne Forys Seniors Freshmen Juniors P-Z Juniors H-O x227 x228 mberschback@reginahs.com cforys@reginahs.com Mrs. Amy Dulgerian Mrs. Helen Dombruski Sophomores Guidance Secretary Juniors A-G x226 x229 hdombruski@reginahs.com adulgerian@reginahs.com

3. Agenda Overview - Senior Year College Application Process Financial Aid & Scholarships Overview – Junior Year College Exploration & Standardized Testing

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) College Fairs: at RHS on October 4, and locally 2011-2012 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’ Notes-updated at least bi-weekly 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 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. Parchment.com – Transcript Request

8. Parchment.com - Waiver

9. Parchment.com - Authorization

10. Parchment.com - Deliver Tab

11. Common App – Transcript Requests

12. College Application Process Complete college application online (required) Transcript is sent via Parchment Submit payment (application fees vary) by credit card. Transcript fee – billed at semester. Transcripts are $1, due to cost of attaching ACT scores

13. College Application Process Application Components Online Application Application fee (credit card or check directly mailed to admissions of college) Electronic transcript: includes 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

14. Sample Criteria Michigan State University Rolling admissions (through July 30) Early notification: October 7, 2011 Financial aid: January 1 SAT or ACT: must be sent FROM the testing service Essay: personal statement

15. Sample Criteria Boston College (uses Common App.) Restrictive Early Action: November 1 (non binding) Application deadline: January 1 (regular decision) Financial aid: February 1 (FAFSA and CSS) SAT plus subject tests (2 required) OR ACT with Writing Essay & two teacher recommendations & counselor recommendation

16. Teacher RecommendationsHighly Selective Schools Only! Ask 11th/12th grade teachers (core subject) Give the teacher at least 2 weeks notice Supply the teacher with your resume/activity sheet Include the separate college recommendation form, if needed 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 Follow up with a “thank you” note to the teacher

17. 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 www.essayedge.com (sample essays, free tips)

18. 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 Go to www.resumeedge.com Include academics, athletics, activities, honors, volunteer/community service & work experience

19. Common Application Now exclusively used by University of Michigan If you are applying to other selective colleges, use the Common Application, if you prefer. Supplements are generally required for each college Used by 450+ institutions Go to: www.commonapp.org

20. 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 12 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

21. MME - Class of 2012 Results were sent home with your student on Sept. 8 LEVELS OF PERFORMANCE Level 1* – Advanced - Exceeding Michigan Standards* Level 2* – Proficient - Met Michigan Standards* Level 3 – Partially Proficient - Basic Level Level 4 – Not Proficient – Apprentice As you know, the Michigan Promise Award has been discontinued. Your student’s score may still be of interest to you.

22. Financial Aid Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Paper application (discouraged) Web-based application 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.

23. 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 if your actual figures are not available Amend your estimated figures as soon as possible Make a copy for your files Be aware of CSS Profile deadline– addendum to FAFSA – required by U of M etc. Juniors can use the FAFSA 4caster link now available at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/fotw1112/help/complete001.htm

24. Scholarships & Financial Aid www.fastweb.com financial aid search through the web Search more than 375,000 listings Scholarships 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.

25. Financial Aid Financial Aid Night for Regina and DLS will be hosted by DLS this year: Monday, November 7 – 7:00 p.m. (A Financial Aid professional will be presenting) College Goal Sunday… FREE assistance with your FAFSA! (The MISD will be hosting it this year) February 12, 2012 1 - 4 p.m. Go to: http://www.micollegegoal.org/Students/Home/tabid/1350/Default.aspx

26. Timeline - Junior Year Explore - College Representatives College Day – Regina - October 4 in the morning PSAT – Oct. 12 (in school) ACT/MME Test Prep after school ACT/MME – March 6, 7 & 8, 2012 (administered at Regina)

27. Timeline - Junior Year SAT / retake ACT – April/May/June AP Testing - May Late spring – Create a tentative list of colleges Spring – Summer – Fall - Visit college campuses Summer - Work on essays and resume

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

29. 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 or club/intramural

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

31. Regina College Day – Oct. 4 • 40+ Colleges – including: • Albion, Aquinas, Central, Columbia (Chicago), Grand Valley, John Carroll, Kalamazoo, Kettering, Lawrence Tech, Loyola, Madonna, Marygrove, MSU, Michigan Tech, Northwood, Notre Dame, Oakland, Ohio State, St. Mary’s of Notre Dame, Saginaw Valley,Specs Howard, U of M, U of Dayton, Wayne State, Western Mich.

32. College Admissions Criteria Grades/Curriculum Extracurricular Activities ACT/SAT

36. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS COMPARISON CHART

37. College Admissions Tests PLAN (Sophomores) PSAT (Juniors) ACT SAT AchievementAptitude

38. College Admissions Tests - PSAT ONLY Wednesday, October 12, 2011 Dismissal – 11:30 a.m. Length of Test – 2 hours 10 minutes Measures: Critical Reading Math Problem Solving Writing Skills Value of the Test: Feedback on academic skills Practice for the SAT Get used to standardized testing www.collegeboard.com/psat (practice questions) Official Student Guide to the PSAT Full-length tests available

39. College Admissions Tests - PSAT PSAT/NMSQT National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test Juniors Only Screening Test for National Merit Scholars 1.5 million students take the test 34,000 students are commended 16,000 students are semi-finalists 8,200 receive National Merit Scholarship awards (one-half of the top one percent who take the test)

40. College Admissions Tests/MME Michigan Merit Exam (MME) ACT Plus Writing (college reportable score) WorkKeys (Applied Math – Reading for Info – Locating Info) Additional assessments in Math, Science, and Social Studies

41. MME Regina 2012 MME Schedule (State wide administration) Tuesday, March 6 – ACT Plus Writing Wednesday, March 7 – WorkKeys Thursday, March 8 – Michigan Science, Math and Social Studies Assessments

42. MME ACT score from the MME will be accepted by all colleges and universities and the NCAA Clearinghouse (National Collegiate Athletic Association – www.ncaa.org) ACT score (plus writing score) will be available four weeks after the test ACT March scores can be sent to four colleges free MME Score will be available in the summer before senior year

43. MME Website: www.michigan.gov/mme (Information for Parents and Students) The New Michigan Merit Exam -- What it is, What it Means, and What it Offers Your Guide to the ACT(Link to ACT Website) Preparing to Take the ACT Plus WritingState Testing Preparing for WorkKeys ACT College Readiness Standards ACT - Ready for College & Ready for Work: Same or Different?

44. ACT 2011-12 National Test Dates Test DateRegular Deadline December 10, 2011 November 4, 2011 February 11, 2012 January 13, 2012 April 14, 2012 March 9, 2012 June 9, 2012 May 4, 2012 Register on-line: www.actstudent.org Regina CEEB code: 231-873

45. ACT 2011-12 • Register Online (for all except MME test) Real Time Seat Assignment Print Admission Ticket View Scores – beginning 2 weeks later

46. ACT 2011-12 National Test Dates 2011–2012 ACT Fees and Services ACT (No Writing) $34.00 ACT Plus Writing $49.50 Additional score reports (first 4 colleges are free) $10.00 each Late registration fee (10 – 14 days after deadline) $21.00 Stand-by basic fee+$42.00 Test Information Release basic fee+$18.00* Test date or center change $21.00 *Available only Dec., April, June

47. ACT 2010-11 • Average Student takes ACT 2 - 4 times • Writing Test: required by some schools (UM – MSU – Kalamazoo – etc.) 88% - Go Up or Stay the Same (1.2 pts) 12% - Go Down Dec – Apr – June $18 – Test Information Release: Get Test and Answers

48. Test Prep – ACT/MME ACT – One Day Workshop Saturday – March 3, 2012 Regina High School 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. $30.00* *For students testing March 6 who are not enrolled in the ACT class. Price is $20.00 for students enrolled in the ACT class.

49. Test Prep – ACT/MME ACT/MME Test Prep Class Eight week class (registration deadline is Friday, December 16) Tuesdays: Jan. 3, Jan. 17, Jan. 24, Jan. 31, Feb. 7, Feb. 14, Feb. 21, and Feb. 28 Regina High School 3 – 4:45 p.m. $175 If enrolled in the class there is a $10.00 discount for the Saturday workshop on March 3 (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

50. ACT Toolbox K-12