West Forsyth High School College/Scholarship/Financial Aid 2019-2020

1. West Forsyth High SchoolCollege/Scholarship/Financial Aid2019-2020

2. General Senior Information Senior Advisors Dr. Eklund Ms. Schneider

3. Student Services Counselors • Miranda DiCato A-Coj • Jenn Wyshner Col-E • Robin Downs F-Kar • Desta Hooks Kas-Nev • Allison Barnes New-Sha • Sean Sandag She-Z

4. Admission Statistics: Admitted Class 2019

5. Admissions Statistics: West Forsyth HS 2019 • 60% attending 4-year colleges and universities • 17% private, or out-of-state • 43% in-state, public • 3.7% UNC-Chapel Hill (5% Class of 2018) • 4.8% NC State U (6% Class of 2018) • 24% attending 2-year colleges

6. AdmissionsFactors of Importance • Transcript • Test Scores: SAT / ACT / Subject Tests • Extracurricular Activities / Resume • Recommendations • Essays • Interviews

7. Transcripts • Seniors have received their updated copy showing courses scheduled senior year • NOTE: Colleges evaluate students based on the transcript they receive at the time of application • Change of schedule can impact admissions • Seniors can request their transcript three ways: • Enter counselor email address in online portal, Ex. Common Application • Student requests hard copy using request form in Student Services • First 2 requests are free then $2 each • All transcript requests for scholarships are free • Utilize the CFNC Transcript Manager for all NC Public Institutions

8. Testing www.collegeboard.org (SAT & Subject Tests) www.act.org (ACT) Students should take one or both twice – early Fall is not too late! Test Prep Score reports – PSAT, PRE-ACT Collegeboard.org, ACT.org, CFNC.org see Student Services website

9. Submitting Test Scores • Test scores are NOT added to student transcripts • Must request score reports from: • www.collegeboard.org (for SAT, Subject test scores) • www.act.org (for ACT scores) • Do not necessarily wait for test scores in before submitting college applications • Consider all test date score reports for super-scoring

10. Super-Scoring SAT SAT Example March 2019 Total Score: EB Reading & Writing = 570 1090 Math = 520 August 2019 Total Score: EB Reading & Writing = 550 1110 Math = 560 SUPER-SCORE = 570 + 560 = 1130

11. Super-Scoring ACT(Not done by all schools) ACT Example February 2019 Composite Score: English = 25 25 Math = 30 Reading = 21 Science = 23 September 2019 Composite Score: English = 23 25 Math = 29 Reading = 27 Science = 20 SUPER-SCORE = 25+30+27+23 = 26

12. Recommendations • Should be sent directly to admissions from recommender • Electronic or paper submissions • Provide recommenders a minimum of 2 weeks • Complete the West Questionnaire “I waive my right to review or access letters and statements of recommendation written on my behalf”

13. Interviews • Few colleges REQUIRE an interview • It’s usually beneficial to interview if interviewing is an option and student interview skills are a strength • Crosby Scholars offers Mock Interview Options to member students • Utilize West’s Mock Interview Process • Mr. Sandag

14. Application Deadlines Early Decision: BINDING — a student who is accepted as an ED applicant must attend the college. Students cannot apply ED to more than one school Typical ED Date: October 15th Early Action: NONBINDING — students receive an early response to their application but do not have to commit to the college until the normal reply date of May 1; highest percentage of students admitted during EA EA Dates: October 15th , November 1st , November 15th , December 1st (Dec 15th, and Jan 1st for institutions with ED) Regular Decision: Later due date – certain percentage admitted based on admit rate at early deadline. January 15th – March 1st Rolling Admission: Admissions decisions are made as applications are received and until class is full

15. Community College • 24% of West’s 2019 graduating class planned to enter a community college • Two-Year Transfer Program: Complete the first two years of college and then transfer to a four-year college as a junior saving thousands of dollars • Associate Degree Programs • Certificate Programs • Fresh start for students that are not admittable to the school they aspire to attend • Huge $$$$ savings

16. RDS • Residency Determination Service • Required by all NC public colleges before reviewing application or any institution where you want to be considered in-state • Generates a RCN (Residency Certification Number) to be entered in each college application • https://ncresidency.cfnc.org/residencyInfo/

17. FINANCIAL AID • Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) • www.fafsa.ed.gov • Determines federal aid eligibility & Expected Family Contribution (EFC) • Cannot be submitted until October 1st (senior yr.) • Some schools may also require CSS Profile • Use financial aid calculator www.collegeboard.org or www.cfnc.org

18. Expected Family Contribution • The EFC is calculated by considering the family's financial strength -- their income and assets. Other factors: number of family members and the number of family members in college. • EFC-assumes families will meet contribution through a combination of savings, current income, and borrowing • EFC remains the same regardless of college; therefore, you may qualify for more aid at a more expensive college

19. Three Main Types of Financial Aid • Grants and Scholarships - don’t have to be repaid. Grant aid can be awarded by government and by institutions based on need. Scholarships usually awarded based on merit, or talent either institutionally or via outside organization • Loans- Must be repaid. Most loans awarded based on need are low-interest subsidized by government (no interest until graduation). • Work Study

20. Financial Aid Myths • Private schools are too expensive • I won’t qualify for ANY aid • FAFSA results may hinder the admission decision • The FAFSA form is long and too hard to complete

21. Scholarships • Sign up for The Daily Announcements • bworley@wsfcs.k12.nc.us • Access link to Scholarship webpage • Request recommendations early • Utilize Mock Interview Committee or Crosby Scholars • “I want to be considered form” • Google search Tip: You should not need to “pay” anything in order to find “money”

22. Senior Parent Questionnaire Briefly describe your son/daughter’s strengths. (Academic and/or Personal) Is there a significant circumstance that interfered with your child’s performance during high school? What three adjectives would you use to describe your son/daughter & Why? What would you like to have emphasized in your son/daughter’s recommendation letters? Please provide any financial information or special circumstances that you would like considered for potential need-based scholarships.

23. West Student Services Website https://www.wsfcs.k12.nc.us/domain/1488

24. Timeline / Goals • Seniors request teachers recommendations NOW! • Seniors meet with counselor for an initial individual meeting during the 1st quarter to discuss their plan and application needs • Seniors complete the questionnaire for both recommendations and scholarship opportunities • Retaking SAT or ACT tests? • SAT = Oct. 5th (late registration); Nov. 2nd • ACT=Oct. 26th (registration deadline Sept. 30th) • They work with you to complete the FAFSA and RDS • They continue to meet with us and ask questions

25. Important Dates: WSFCS College Fair Benton Convention Center Monday, September 30th 5-8 p.m. NC Countdown to College WeekOctober 21st – 25th (some schools waive application fee this week) Thurs. Oct. 24th – West Application Day WSFCS Financial Aid Nights October 23rd & February 18th 6-8pm WSFCS Education Building Auditorium

26. Questions?