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Class of 2014 Your Senior Year!

Class of 2014 Your Senior Year!. Algonac High School Home of the Muskrats!. School Counselor Mrs. Karen Blair (810) 794-4911 ext 1282 kblair@acsk12.us @ KarenBlairAHS Facebook – AHS Counseling Department www.algonac.k12.mi.us.

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Class of 2014 Your Senior Year!

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  1. Class of 2014 Your Senior Year! Algonac High School Home of the Muskrats!

  2. School Counselor Mrs. Karen Blair (810) 794-4911 ext 1282kblair@acsk12.us @KarenBlairAHS Facebook – AHS Counseling Department www.algonac.k12.mi.us

  3. Use the ACS WebsiteIt’s a great resource!!www.algonac.k12.mi.usUse your Student Connect!

  4. Graduating! If you are planning on graduating on June 6, 2014, you have to know if you are going to have all the graduation requirements met! Look at your transcript! Find “Total Credits Earned” upper fight hand area of the transcript. Right now you have to have at least 17.5 total credits. Next you have to have the “graduation requirements met”. English – 4 1 VPAA Math – 4 7.5 Electives Science – 3 Social Studies – 3 =23.5 PE/Health - 1

  5. Graduation audits went home only to those students that are in danger of not graduating. • If you have questions about your graduation status see me or Mrs. Brutyn. • You can also look up your graduation requirements in Student Connect!

  6. If you’re on track to graduate, right now your transcript should be showing that you need the following credits still: • 1 English • 1 Math • Maybe 1 SS (if you are a TEC student) • Maybe 1 Science (again if TEC) • Some elective credits That’s it! If you need anything else, you are supposed to be doing it in credit recovery. Get your work in CR DONE!!

  7. Attendance Don’t let attendance be the reason why you don’t graduate! You can lose credit because of attendance. Don’t let the new freedom with being able to leave to do your online electives cause you to mess up!

  8. Apply Online! Apply NOW!! • Complete all required steps for applying. • Even if you are retaking the ACT, apply now. • Go to the AHS Website and click on Parchment • Request that your transcript be sent electronically through that secure website. • It’s FREE! College Applications

  9. Go to www.parchment.com • Click on High School Student, register for an account. • It’s going to ask for you email address. • This might be a good time to create an email address for school/college related “stuff”. • Try for an email address that is just your name or something like that. Not superhottie@yahoo.com or ticklemyelmo@aol.com colleges don’t want to see those types of email addresses! They really don’t!!

  10. Read and follow the directions for making that account. No skimming and scanning! Keep a folder with all your college/ACT stuff Get your parents involved! You might need their money to pay for school or them to be cosigners on your student loans. Put the time in now so that you aren’t stressed out all year! Get your application in now and be ahead of the other applicants. Get your decision sooner!

  11. Average application fees - $35 - $40 • Community College applications are FREE! • Early Decision/Action – a guaranteed answer by a set deadline when you meet the early decision/action deadline. • Check university websites. • Make it your deadline to get college applications in by October 31, 2013.

  12. Every student should take the ACT more than once. • Studies show each time a student retakes the ACT, his or her score increases by at least one point. • A one point difference can mean better chance of admittance to college and scholarship money. • Do some test prep! Sign up for the ACT Workshops being held at SC4 in the up coming weeks. • The national test dates will be on the next slide. National test dates are on Saturdays (8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.) • We are NOT a national test center. Most students test at Cardinal Mooney or St. Clair County Community College (SC4). But they don’t give it every time. Check the ACT site. • Register to take the ACT at www.actstudent.org • $34.00 Retake the ACT!

  13. Test DateRegistration Deadlinew/Late Fee • September 21, 2013 August 23, 2013 Aug 24 – Sept 6 • October 26, 2013 Sept 27, 2013 Sept 28 – Oct 11 • December 14, 2013 Nov 8, 2013 Nov 9-22 • February 8, 2014 Jan 10, 2014 Jan 11-24 • April 12, 2014 March 7, 2014 March 8-21 • June 14, 2014 May 9, 2014 May 10-23 • Register online at www.actstudent.org ACT Dates 2013/14

  14. Basic Fee (No Writing) $36.00 • ACT (Plus Writing) $52.50 • Late Fee $23.00 • Additional colleges $12.00 each • Test date change $22.00 • Test center change $22.00 • Standby testing $45.00 • Viewing Scores Online Free ACT Fees

  15. Improve Your ACT Score Workshop Offered at SC4 • Four (4) Saturdays in October. • Cost -- $25 per session • Contact Dena Norrod for more info -- Norrod.Dena@sccresa.org ACT Prep Workshops

  16. Other ACT PREP Information … • You can access FREE ACT Prep resources at Michigan Electronic Library at www.mel.org • Visit this link for additional resources – http://www.actstudent.org/testprep

  17. 16 – 21 17 – 22 18 – 24 21 – 26 25 – 30 ACT Admissions Standards OPEN – All high school graduates are accepted until the school’s enrollment capacity is reached. LIBERAL – Some freshmen who are accepted are in the lower half of their high school graduating class. TRADITIONAL – The majority of freshmen accepted are in the top 50 percent of their high school graduating class. SELECTIVE – The majority of freshmen accepted are in the top 25 percent of their high school graduating class. HIGHLY SELECTIVE – The majority of freshmen accepted are in the top 10 percent of their high school graduating class.

  18. The SAT Out of State, Highly Selective and Private Colleges sometimes prefer the SAT over the ACT. Visit the website of the school you are interested in to determine which admission test is preferred. Register to take the SAT at www.collegeboard.com 2013/14 Dates October 5, 2013 November 2, 2013 December 7, 2013 January 25, 2014 March 8, 2014 May 3, 2014 June 7, 2014

  19. Seniors are encouraged to visit college campuses. • They may use two (2) school business “off campus” days for that purpose. • Student must provide written documentation of visit to the attendance secretary. • Student arranges college visit through college/university website or by calling college/university. College Visits (Off Campus)

  20. Nearly all colleges host a fall “Open House” on their campus • At these events students are able to take a tour, meet students, listen to presentations, go to a football game, even spend the night in the dorms! • Many have on-site admissions as well. • Visit the website of the college you are interested in or look at the showcase in the senior hall. • Student arranges the visit. Fall Open Houses (Off Campus)

  21. The counseling center hosts visits from many colleges. • Representatives from the respective college will set up a time during our school day to visit with any prospective applicant. • Seniors are allowed four(4) on-campus college visits. The absence will be marked as school business. • College visits are publicized in the daily announcements. Students can sign up in the Student Services. College Visitation (On-Campus)

  22. College Visits On Campus Central Michigan University Sept 12 Northern Michigan University Sept 20 Michigan State University Sept 23 Michigan Technological University Sept 26 Olivet College Sept 28 Oakland University Oct 5 Western Michigan University Oct 18 University of Detroit – Mercy Oct 19 University of Michigan Oct 19 Albion College Oct 20 Kettering University Oct 24 Adrian College Nov 8 Wayne State University Nov 9

  23. Tuesday, October 22, 2013 • 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. • Citizens First Michigan Technical Education Center • Corner of Erie Street & Glenwood Avenue • Over 40 institutions will be represented. • ALSO --- INFORMATION SESSIONS ON SC4First session – 6:45 to 7:15 p.m.Second session – 7:30 to 8 p.m. St. Clair County Community College (SC4) College Night

  24. Take in as much info as you can from visiting college campuses and college fairs. Also do some work online. Visit these websites: www.collegecoard.com www.collegexpress.com www.collegeispossible.org www.c3apply.org www.collegeview.com

  25. Scholarships(free money) – does not have to be paid back TWO KINDS • Merit Based – based on grades, involvement in school and community, character • Need Based – based on parents financial situation (income, assets, debts) • Grants (free money) – does not have to be paid back (based on income) FAFSA • Loan – must be paid back (may be subsidized (borrower does not pay interest) or unsubsidized (borrower does pay interest) Financial Aid Basics

  26. The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the first step in the financial aid process. Use it to apply for federal student financial aid, such as Pell grant, student loans, and college work-study. • In addition, most states and schools use FAFSA information to award their financial aid. • www.fafsa.gov • Begin application January of the graduating year. • Priority deadline March 1st • College Goal Sunday @ SC4 – Sunday, Feb 23, 2014 (2-4) • Students will work on FAFSA in senior math class What is the FAFSA?

  27. AHS Local Scholarships • College Websites • Community Foundation of St. Clair County www.stclairfoundation.org • Check out your parent’s affiliations – employers, unions, religious affiliations, etc for scholarships available Other Forms of Financial Aid

  28. Eligibility based on being on Medicaid. • Award letter came to your house. Look for it. From the state of Michigan. If you can’t find it call this number 1-888-447-2687 • Pays for an associates degree. Go to SC4 or Macomb! • Worth about $6,000! • Find out if you are eligible for this! Tuition Incentive Program - TIP

  29. Local Scholarship Applications for the 2013/14 school year will be available via the web beginning in January 2014. • Deadline will be March 31, 2014. • Local scholarships are available to AHS seniors only. • Merit and need based scholarships • Many award students for community service • Need two letters of recommendation • Over $43,000 in scholarship money given away • All are listed at the Student Services portion of the AHS Website. Local Scholarships

  30. Senior Awards Assembly All seniors and their parents should plan to attend the annual senior awards assembly Friday, June 6, 2014. Begins at 8:00 AM Ends approximately 11:00 AM Local Scholarships are presented as well as many other awards, including those from St. Clair TEC.

  31. September 2013 • All seniors will attend a presentation in the counseling center. If your student has additional questions, he or she should meet with the counselor. • The student should get started on applications right away especially if they plan to apply through an Early Decision or Early Action programs. Deadlines for early applications tend to fall in October or November. • Students should start working on college essays. They should write essays that focus on experiences and make them stand out from the crowd. • Student should update their "resume" -- list accomplishments, involvements, and work experiences -- with the senior year activities. The resume will help the student complete the applications and essays. • Retake the ACT! Timelines for the senior year

  32. Gather letters of recommendation. Student should ask counselor, teachers, and coaches, or employers for letters of recommendation. Give them plenty of time to meet the deadlines and be sure to give them a list of your activities & accomplishments. • Take ACT/SAT tests. • If you are applying under an Early Decision or Early Action program, be sure to get all forms in as soon as possible. Applying online might be the right option for you. • Look for scholarships – Student Services Website, with search engines like Fast Web, through community and parental involvement. October 2013

  33. Student should submit early decision and early action applications on time. • Student should work hard at completing college essays. Proofreading them rigorously for mistakes. • Mail applications as early as possible for colleges with "rolling" deadlines (admission decisions are made as applications are received). • Take /ACTSAT tests. Make sure your scores are sent to each one of your colleges. • Continue to look for and submit applications for scholarships. November 2013

  34. Students should try to wrap up college applications before Christmas break. Make copies of each application before they are sent. • Take ACT/SAT tests. Make sure your scores are sent to each one of your colleges. • Early Decision and Early Application responses arrive this month. • Continue to look for and submit applications for scholarships. December 2013

  35. Early Decision and Early Application responses arrive this month. • Some colleges include first-semester grades as part of your application folder. This is called the mid-year grade report. Student should have the counselor send grades to colleges that require them. • Complete FAFSA – www.fafsa.gov January 2014

  36. Student should contact colleges to confirm that all necessary application materials have been received. • Encourage students not to get senioritis! Colleges want to see strong second half grades. • Some admissions decisions arrive this month. Read everything carefully, as some of it may require action on the student and parent’s part. • Attend FAFSA workshop if you need help completing the FAFSA at SC4 on Sunday, Feb 23, 2014 (2-4 PM) February/March 2014

  37. Most admissions decisions and financial aid award letters arrive this month Read everything carefully, as some of it may require action on your part. • Make a final decision, and mail the enrollment form and deposit check to the school the student selects before May 1 (the enrollment deadline for most schools). • Notify each of the schools to which student was accepted that he or she will not be attending in writing so that the spot can be freed up for another student. • On the waiting list? Contact the admissions office and let them know of continued interest in the college and update them on spring semester grades and activities. April 2014

  38. May 2014 -- Finalize housing plans. • Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday – June 2, 3 & 4, 2014 Senior Exams • Thursday, June 5, 2014 Graduation Practice (1:00 PM) • Friday, June 6, 2014 – Senior Awards Assembly – beginning at 8:00 a.m. AHS Gymnasium • Friday, June 6,2014- Graduation 6:00 p.m. Truman Pippel Stadium (weather permitting) May & June 2014

  39. Additional Resources • ALWAYS look to the AHS “Student Services Website” for information that you might need -- http://algonac.k12.mi.us/schools/algonac_high_school/counseling_center/index.html • Check out the AHS Counseling Department page on Facebook -- https://www.facebook.com/#!/AlgonacHighSchoolCounselingDepartment • Follow Mrs. Blair on Twitter -- KarenBlairAHS

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