Lewis and Clark High School Post High School/ College Application Process Fall 2013

1. Lewis and Clark High SchoolPost High School/ College Application ProcessFall 2013

2. Overview • Potential Paths • College/Career Search • Standardized Testing • Application Process • Financial Aid • Scholarship Search • Upcoming Events

3. Potential Paths – RequirementsWe expect ALL of you to apply to a post-high school program. • Military:High School Diploma • Community College:High school diploma or GED; earn an AA or AS; Asset/Compass placement tests required • Technical Program:Requirements vary; need to contact particular program • 4 Year College:High school diploma; above and beyond high school graduation requirements (e.g., 2+ years world language, 3+ years math, 3+ years science, math and/or science class senior year); SAT/ACT

4. Finding Info • Naviance– Family Connection (on LCTigers.com) • User Name: Student ID, Password: tigers (all lower case) • College & Career Center – Rm. 105 • LC Senior Newsletter • www.LCTigers.com- Counseling, College & Career • www.careeronestop.org – Career, College & Technical School Search • www.careersinthemilitary.com – All Branches, Career Opportunities • www.collegeboard.org– College, SAT Testing info • www.actstudent.org– College, Testing info • www.mappingyourfuture.org– Career, College, Financial Info • www.projectopportunity.net– Washington St. Private College Info • www.princetonreview.com–College Search, Test Prep • www.petersons.com– College Search • Western Undergraduate Exchange – www.wiche.edu

5. Standardized Tests • SAT Reasoning/ACT– either one or both are accepted by most schools. • SAT Subject Tests– required by some universities. Register online:SAT – www.collegeboard.org ACT – www.actstudent.org • ASVAB – Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery – Testing at LC – 10/16th – Sign up NOW in the Career Center! • ASSET & COMPASS Tests – Check Community College • It is YOUR responsibility to know which tests you need to take and to register for the exams on time. • SAT/ACT Scores – sent directly to the colleges.

6. SAT Test Dates & Deadlines Test DateRegistration Deadline October 5* September 20 (LATE Fee) November 2* October 3 December 7* November 8 January 25 December 27 *Test administered at LC.

7. ACT Test Dates & Deadlines Test DateRegistration Deadline October 26 September 27 December14 November 8 February 8 January 10 Note: Although the ACT Writing section is optional, we recommend you take it.

8. Application Info • Almost ALL College Applications are online • Common Application– 500 member colleges, 47 states, France, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, and Switzerland. Remember to complete the required Supplements!www.commonapp.org • Common Black College App:32 member colleges, mostly southern states, one $35 application fee. www.eduinconline.com • Application Deadlines: • Regular – Final due date, rolling admissions common • Early Action – Not legally binding • Early Decision – Legally binding • Early Action, Single Choice (Restrictive)– Non binding, • BUT you agree not to apply to any other early • action school.

9. More Application Info • NCAA Clearinghouse/Student Athletes(ncaaclearinghouse.net) – Talk to your coach & Mrs. Power in the Student Office. • You are responsible for researching and meeting all your deadlines. • Your goal is to complete the application process by Thanksgiving.

10. Application Essays Weave in the 4 P’s in your responses: • Personality –What characteristics make you uniqueor stand out from the crowd? • Pride – What is something you’ve accomplished or feel especially proud of? • Personal Story– Tell your story. If you have experienced difficulties or personal challenges, share how you dealt with them and what you learned through the process. • Proofread for Quality – Ask a teacher, counselor or adult to proofread and give feedback.

11. Holistic Review PhilosophyWhat do colleges look for in a potential student? GPA Curriculum Choices Test Scores Activities Essays Recommendations Fit with current student population, specific majors.

12. Student Office Forms All Requests for Transcripts and Letters of Recommendations must allow a minimum TWO WEEKSfor processing. • Transcript Request Form (Pink) – College only requires student’s H.S. transcript. • Letter of Recommendation AND Transcript Request Form (Blue) – College requires transcript AND Letters of Recommendation. • Post-High School Application Checklist (Yellow) • Biography Guide/Resume Sheet (Purple) – A guide to create a Bio & Resume to include with Letter of Recommendation & Transcript Request. All forms available in the Student Office & on www.lctigers.com

13. Student Office Process 1. Turn in all completed forms and requests IN PERSON to Mrs. Gilmore or Mrs. Oranen in the Student Office 2. Pick up Transcripts and Letters of Recommendation in the RED BOX titled “College Transcripts”. You are responsible for mailing all Transcripts and Letters of Recommendations that are not sent electronically.

14. Counselors Tips • Create an email account - specifically for colleges/scholarships – hotmail, gmail, etc. • Email address – make sure it is appropriate and check the account regularly. • Use your legal name – on all your applications. • Visit the schools – if you can – if not, online! • Eighth semester grades – do count! • Keep a calendar – with all your deadlines. • Keep copies – of all application materials and communications. • This is YOUR application – complete it yourself.

15. Financial Aid Private Institutions FAFSA

16. Financial Aid – Resources/Info • FAFSA (www.fafsa.ed.gov) – FREE Application for Financial Student Aid (NOT fafsa.com) • PIN for FAFSA (www.pin.ed.gov) – get PIN now • Cannot submit FAFSA application until January 1st– best to submit by February 1st (Estimate earnings now, verify later) • CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE – Required by some schools. Application for nonfederal financial aid for 400 colleges & scholarship programs. (http://student.collegeboard.org/css-financial-aid-profile) • FAFSA Completion Workshops at LC – January 9, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. , January 11, 9:00 a.m. – 12 noon

17. Scholarship Search • Be aware of scams! • Career Center – Room 105 • Senior Newsletter • Individual Colleges – have their own list of scholarships. • Community resources • Employers • Scholarship Search Engines – examples: • www.fastweb.com • www.wiredscholar.com • www.brokescholar.com • www.finaid.org • www.meritaid.com • www.thewashboard.org

18. Upcoming Events • Senior College Parent Night at LC– Tuesday, October 1st – 6:30 p.m. • National College Fair– Tuesday, November 5th Spokane Convention Center, 9-12 noon, 6-8 p.m. • Ongoing College Visitations– Career Center, Announcements in bulletin & Senior Newsletter. Students must have pass to attend. • Online College Fairs – www.collegeweeklive.com Free access to 450 colleges.

19. Remember . . . • You still need to GRADUATE from high school! • Need at least 22 credits, complete Culminating Project, High School and Beyond Plan, pass HSPE (or state approved alternative). • An offer of admission and/or scholarship CAN be rescinded. • Finish strong!

20. Remember:Where can I find this information plus more?www.lctigers.com& The Career Center Room 105 It Takes a Little More to be a Tiger – FINISH STRONG SENIORS!