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WELCOME SENIORS!. Post-Secondary Planning: The Time is NOW. 4 credits (4 years) Language Arts 3 credits (3 years) Math 3 credits (3 years) Science 3 credits (3 years) Social Studies .5 credits (1 sem.) Health 1 credits (2 classes) P. E. .5 credits (1 sem.) Computer Science
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WELCOME SENIORS! Post-Secondary Planning: The Time is NOW
4 credits (4 years) Language Arts 3 credits (3 years) Math 3 credits (3 years) Science 3 credits (3 years) Social Studies .5 credits (1 sem.) Health 1 credits (2 classes) P. E. .5 credits (1 sem.) Computer Science 2 credits (5 classes) Practical/Fine Arts 22 Total Credits On-line courses available now Unsure? See you counselor!! First things first. . .Graduation Requirements
Who Is My Counselor??! Academy Counselor ACE Ms. Bolton GBA Ms. Piper HBM Ms. Nakata VPA Mr. Evans LAA Ms. Diercks
Explore Your Choices • Military • Service – Americorps • Apprenticeship/Work • Travel • College/University 2 year or 4 year? Public or Private?
Start Talking. . . • Parents • Teachers • Family Members • Counselor • College Representatives • Military Representatives • Friends
The Perfect School • Doesn’t exist • Many students transfer after their 1st year • You are the consumer • Shop for the best fit! • Find a school that fits your ideals, standards, beliefs, budget, and abilities. “A match to be made not a prize to be won”
How do I begin this process? • Determine your priorities—use check list • Remember parents may have different priorities from students • Cost • Size • Majors • Location • Selectivity • Public/Private • Visit, visit, visit college campuses!!
Other things to look for • Religious Affiliation • Social Life • Residential vs. Commuter Campus • Fraternities and Sororities • % that graduate in 5 years • Diversity of student body • Scholarship opportunities • Academic • Need based
Community Colleges • Many Advantages: • Smaller class sizes • Less expensive • Can live at home • If you’re not quite ready to go to a 4 year college • Flexible schedules, night, weekend classes • Beware Proprietary Schools!!! • (Everest, Heritage, Westwood, DeVry) • If you’re unsure, ask!
What are colleges looking for? • Academic Record – GPA, class rank, improvement, difficulty of classes • Testing – ACT or SAT with writing • Extracurricular Activities • Work • Community service • Letters of Recommendation • Honors and Awards • Essays • Interviews • Commitment/Passion • Leadership
Determining “My Profile” • Factors in your “Profile” • G.P.A. • Class Rank • ACT or SAT Test Scores • Rigor of Courses • Activities/ Unusual Talent • Essays • Recommendations
Comparing Your Profile • Safety– (realistic) Your profile is SIGNIFICANTLY stronger than the typical freshman (60-90% chance of admission) • Target– (reasonable) Your profile is similar to the typical freshman (30-60% chance of admission) • Reach – (reach) Your profile is not as strong as the typical freshman (less than 30% chance of admission)
TESTING Don’t wait to retake!! • ACT– Next test December 10, 2011 Register by November 4, 2011 $49.50 with writing Register at www.actstudent.org • SAT– Next test November 5, 2011 Register by October 7, 2011 $49 Register at www.collegeboard.com • Community CollegePlacement Tests
No Testing • www.fairtest.org • A list of schools who do not require tests to be considered for admission or who are test optional • Over 750 schools • Community Colleges • Do not require ACT/SAT • Will use Accuplacer or similar
Fee Waivers • Available for ACT, SAT, SAT Subject Tests, and College Applications • Available for students on Free and Reduced lunch program • Check with your counselor
Letters of Recommendation • Check applications carefully to see if you need one • Choose a teacher, coach, administrator, counselor, who knows you really well • Request 2 -3 weeks prior to when you need them • Always provide a complete list of schools to which you are applying; always provide stamped addressed envelopes • Send a thank you note
Essays/Personal Statement • Don’t make up hardships • Demonstrate Character • Convey what they wouldn’t glean from your application alone • Have others read it for feedback (not just your parent)
Where do I find applications? • College websites • Apply online • Download paper • Get on mailing list • Counseling Office • Limited number of paper • Colleges prefer that you apply on line
College Application Steps 1. Complete application – paper or on-line 2. Attach or send application fee (check, money order, credit card) 3. Make appointment with your counselor 4. Request teacher or counselor recommendations at least 3 weeks in advance of due dates 5. Make sure ACT or SAT scores are sent to the college directly from ACT or SAT when you test or indicate they be sent on your transcript request
Metro State College Representative Every Wednesday in WHS Library From 8am-3pm Help with college applications, scholarships, essays, financial aid, anything related to college!
You are responsible for meeting deadlines and submitting complete applications!
College Searches on the Web • Access.bridges.com (Site ID 0099411, Password: Canyon) • College Answer Collegeanswer.com • College Board On-line Collegeboard.com • College Campus Tours Campustours.com • College Planning C3apply.org • College Search Embark.com • Go College Search Gocollege.com • How to Choose a College Usnews.com (click on “education”) • Links to all Universities Universities.com • NACAC Nacac.com • Study Skills & Careers Kaplan.com • Collegeincolorado.org • Colleges That Change Lives Ctcl.com • Local College Fairs collegefairsdenver.org • College View collegeview.com • Peterson Education Petersons.com • (Quick test-prep searches are available on this site including ACT, ASVAB, SAT, • MCAT, TOEFL, firefighter and many, many more!) • College Search Collegesurfing.com • College Search Collegeincolorado.org • College/Major Search/Test Prep Princetonreview.com • College/Major Search Connection.naviance.com
How Do I Pay for College??! • Parents/own money • Scholarships • Financial Aid • Grants • Work Study • Loans • College Opportunity Fund (COF) • Collegeincolorado.org
Things to Know…. • Two-thirds of college students graduate with some debt, the average being $20,000 • Your chances of getting a full-ride scholarship are slim: 1 in 50,000 • Scholarships are not just for Athletes and Brains • Scholarships are not just for financially needy families
Scholarships Time = Money! If you are awarded a $1000 scholarship and it took you 6 hours to complete the application you just earned $166 an hour
Where do I look for Scholarships? • College currently attending/will be attending • Within the college: Financial Aid office, Academic Depts. • Internet • Library • Employer (Tuition Re-imbursement, Loan Re-payment) • Local Businesses: Target, Walmart, Burger King, McDonald’s • Church/Congregation • High School Counselor
Free Scholarship Searches • www.MeritAid.com • www.CollegeinColorado.org • www.Fastweb.com • www.brokescholar.com • www.collegeanswer.com • www.princetonreview.com • www.nationalmerit.org • www.Apps.collegeboard.com • www.collegenet.com • www.scholarships.com • www.collegescholarships.com • www.scholarship-page.com • www.finaid.org • www.free-4u.com • www.supercollege.com • www.college-scholarships.com • www.scholarships-4u.com • www.freschinfo.com • www.collegeplan.org • www.gocollege.com • www.nmfonline.org (National Medical Fellows) • www.careersandcolleges.com • www.edvisors.com • www.collegenet.com • www.colorado.edu/finaid/scholarships.html (for CU Boulder) • www.hispanicfund.org • www.chci.org • www.hsf.net • www.laef.org/scholarships.html • http://wue.wiche.edu (Student Exchange Program in the western US)
FAFSA FREE Application for Federal Student Aid www.fafsa.gov January 1st, 2012 Can now auto-fill from tax information
Grants • Grants are awarded based on a student’s financial need • As long as you follow the guidelines of the Grants you will not be required to repay this money • Need is determined by the Department of Education by using information off the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Loans • To apply for a student loan, student MUST file FAFSA • Loans must be repaid • Repayment begins after student either graduates or is no longer enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours.
Work Study • To qualify, student MUST apply for FAFSA and indicate their interest on the application. Award is based on results from processed FAFSA • Purpose • Flexible schedule with employer • Employment on-campus • Regular paychecks • Work between 10 and 20 hours a week • Must be enrolled in 6 credits and attend work-study orientation when awarded