Welcome to Avon High School’s

1. Welcome to Avon High School’s Class of 2016 College Planning Night

2. Counselor Assignments2014-2015 School Year A – B Ms. Bradley C – Go Mrs. Corya Gr – L Mrs. Hatchett M – R Mr. Binkley S – Z Mrs. Yoder S – Z Mr. Thompson (Sept-Dec)

3. PSAT/NMSQT Wednesday, October 29, 2014 (blocks 1 and 2) All sophomores and juniors will take the exam in their SRT class The Importance of the PSAT: Results from the PSAT are used by teachers and counselors for course placement and instructional decisions The PSAT is the qualifying exam for the National Merit Scholarship Competition The PSAT is the practice SAT exam

4. How to Prepare for the PSAT Read the PSAT Official Student Guide for test-taking tips and types of test questions. Critical Reading Math Writing Skills Take the Full-Length Practice Test inside the guide; answers are included, grade it and see what you missed. Review PSAT Score Report from 10thGrade Use the test strategies on “My College Quickstart” at www.collegeboard.com/quickstart. Use Online Access Code from 10th Grade PSAT Score Report or ask your counselor for your code.

5. PSAT Full Length Practice Test Front cover of exam Timing Scoring Guessing Marking Answers Checking answers Scoring(page 31) Make time to take the practice test. It is the best way to get ready for the PSAT!

6. SAT Test Dates 2014-2015 Avon High School ID 151647 Register online at www.sat.collegeboard.org • SAT Customer Service: 866-756-7346 • **FREE SAT Prep materials are available in the ALC Media Center!** • SAT Registration and Test Fee = $52.50 Late Registration = $80.50 • Students who receive lunch/book rental assistance and/or are 21st Century Scholars may qualify for a fee waiver. See your guidance counselor. • Be sure to indicate 4 colleges/universities to have your scores sent to for FREE! IU, Purdue and NCAA require SAT scores to be sent directly from testing agency (College Board). • *Avon High School is a test site

7. ACT Test Dates 2014-2015 Avon High School ID 151647 Register online at www.actstudent.org ACT Customer Service: 319-337-1270 **FREE ACT Prep materials are available in the ALC Media Center!** ACT Registration and Test Fee = $36.50 ACT Plus Writing = $52.50 • Students who receive lunch/book rental assistance and/or are 21st Century Scholars may qualify for a fee waiver. See your guidance counselor. • Be sure to indicate 4 colleges/universities to have your scores sent to for FREE! IU, Purdue and NCAA require ACT scores to be sent directly from testing agency (ACT). • *Avon High School is a test site

8. SAT & ACT Comparison

9. College Rep Presentations College Representatives provide information about their college/university’s programs and majors, admission requirements, student life and scholarship/financial aid opportunities.

10. Tips on Visiting Colleges Complete College/Military Visit Form: Two visits allowed junior year Plan your visit when students are actually on campus Fall break and spring break are good times to visit Ask questions of students that you see on campus. Most likely, your tour guide will be a college student Complete Campus Visit Score Card Design Your Own Visit: Tour the campus Meet with an admissions counselor Meet with a financial aid officer Observe a classroom lecture Bring an unofficial high school transcript Schedule an overnight visit (if possible)

11. How to Pay for College Financial aid and scholarship applications are generally not made available until a student’s senior year; however, the following are important resources to remember when thinking about financing your college education Indiana College Costs Estimator http://www.indianacollegecosts.org Estimate college costs using personal financial/tax information Learn about the financial aid process, including frequently used terms, various sources of aid and differences between grants, loans and scholarships FAFSA (Free Application For Federal Student Aid) www.fafsa.ed.gov Must be completed in order to receive any type of scholarship, grant or loan for college Cannot start FAFSA until January of the senior year Financial aid informational meetings and workshops will be held in January/February of senior year to facilitate financial aid process FAFSA must be completed between January 1st and March 10th of senior year! Never Pay for Scholarship Search Services! Naviance provides local and national scholarship information for FREE! Other legit scholarship search websites: www.fastweb.com, www.scholarships.com

12. NEXT Magazine YOUR GUIDE TO: Plan Prepare Pay for college and career success! HIGHLIGHTS: Page 18 – Map of Indiana Colleges Page 26 – Hoosier Hot 50 Jobs Page 41 – Directory of public, private, apprenticeship programs, proprietary schools (for-profit), and military

13. Save the Date Spring Junior Parent Information Night April 9, 2015 The college application process Choosing the right college Paying for college Life after high school

14. NavianceSucceed Access Naviancethrough Avon High School Guidance website www.avon-schools.org/domain/4129 First Time Using Naviance? Instructions are on the back of handout Important Info on Naviance: College Rep Visits “SuperMatch” College Search Scattergrams Announcements about College Fairs and College Preview Days

15. Prepare, Plan & GO! Regina Atkins Regional Coordinator – Indianapolis Indiana State University

16. The Basics • Admission Lingo • Early Action vs. Early Decision vs. Rolling Admissions vs. Open Enrollment • Application Process • The Common App • Institutional Applications • Applications for specific programs • Deadlines • Applied or Admit by • Hard vs Soft

17. Prepare: Academics • Test Prep & Practice • PSAT/NMSQT • SAT • ACT • Career Assessment • Diploma Types • Core 40 • Academic Honors Diploma • Technical Honors • Specific Courses • AP & Dual Credit Courses • Classes related to your major

18. Prepare: Extracurriculars • Important Points • Longevity • Demonstrate a balanced life • Everything Counts! • Sports • Performing Arts • Community Service • Work • Church groups

19. Prepare: Yourself! • College Email Account • Example: firstname.lastname@email.com • Check often, parent/guardian access • Learn to self advocate • Students take the lead, parents be supportive • Network • Alumni, teachers, college reps

20. Plan: Your College Criteria • What Do You Want? • 2 year college vs. 4 year college • Public vs. Private • Size & Location • Soul Searching • Majors, student activities • Campus culture, amenities • Student services • College List • Safety: exceed admission requirements • Match: meet admission requirements • Reach: below admission requirements • Take advantage of fee waivers!

21. Plan: College Requirements • Holistic review • Cumulative GPA • Test scores • Resume & personal statements • Letters of recommendation • Rigor of classes • Student Type • Potential Ambassador, representative

22. Plan: Paying for College • Aid Types • Grants • Scholarships • Loans • FAFSA • Free Application for Federal Student Aid • Complete every year • Available Jan 1 senior year, due March 1 • Scholarship Search • Searches are FREE • Ex: Fastweb.com • Look locally • Awards from the institution • Junior Year Matters • Changes in GPA happen now

23. Go: College Exploration • College Visits • Research the school • Bring questions, test scores, transcript • Take notes • Summer Programs • College student w/o the commitment! • Indiana State Summer Honors • Tips & Tricks • Keep an open mind • Talk to everyone! • Walk around on your own • Try the food • Have fun!!

24. Questions?? Thanks for Listening!