Download - WELCOME SENIORS!
First things first. . .Graduation Requirements
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 (4 classes) Practical/Fine
Arts
22 Total Credits
On-line courses available now
Unsure? See you counselor!!
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
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 College Placement Tests
Don’t wait to retake!!
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!
College Searches on the Web
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
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
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