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Welcome toWelcome toJunior Parent Night!Junior Parent Night!

Post-Secondary Planning for the Post-Secondary Planning for the Class of 2016Class of 2016

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WANTED:WANTED:2121stst Century Skills Century Skills

• Critical thinking and reasoningCritical thinking and reasoning

• Information literacyInformation literacy

• CollaborationCollaboration

• Self-directionSelf-direction

• InventionInvention

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Lets Start Thinking About The Future

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The Classes you like in high school can help The Classes you like in high school can help you decide on a major or career!you decide on a major or career!

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Concurrent Enrollment• DCSD & ACC, CU Denver partnership• Provides college courses to students on DCSD

campuses at no cost.• High school and college credit awarded• Taught by DCSD Faculty • Paperwork:

COF fund (online)College (ACC) ApplicationConcurrent Enrollment ApplicationNo Registration Fee For ACC

* Information is available online

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What Type of Degree Do You What Type of Degree Do You Want?Want?

• BACHELORS DEGREEBACHELORS DEGREE– 4 or more years of study at a college or university.

• 2 years general education

• 2 years of courses that complement your major during junior and senior year

• ASSOCIATES DEGREEASSOCIATES DEGREE– Complete up to 2 years of general education at a community college and

later transfer to a four year institution or

– Combine some general education with vocational training for a specific career

• CERTIFICATE PROGRAMCERTIFICATE PROGRAM– Typically for job-oriented students seeking shorter training to prepare to

enter the workforce. Credit hours vary depending on the study, and can range from one semester to two years.

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Don’t Think a Four-Year Degree is Don’t Think a Four-Year Degree is for You?for You?

Two-year associate degrees and certificate programs can help you with mastering these careers:

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MilitaryMilitary• A minimum 2 year commitmentA minimum 2 year commitment• Military careers availableMilitary careers available• Recruiters visit PHS during lunch once a monthRecruiters visit PHS during lunch once a month• On-the-job trainingOn-the-job training• Scholarships for college after serviceScholarships for college after service• ROTC Programs available for most branchesROTC Programs available for most branches

• A minimum 2 year commitmentA minimum 2 year commitment• Military careers availableMilitary careers available• Recruiters visit PHS during lunch once a monthRecruiters visit PHS during lunch once a month• On-the-job trainingOn-the-job training• Scholarships for college after serviceScholarships for college after service• ROTC Programs available for most branchesROTC Programs available for most branches

All males must register with the All males must register with the SELECTIVE SERVICESELECTIVE SERVICE when they turn when they turn 18 years old. Registration is the law and young men who do not register 18 years old. Registration is the law and young men who do not register may find themselves permanently ineligible for student loans, grants, job may find themselves permanently ineligible for student loans, grants, job training and government jobs, and U.S. citizenship for male immigrants. training and government jobs, and U.S. citizenship for male immigrants. PHS students may register online at: PHS students may register online at: www.sssgov/regist.htm !

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Higher Education Higher Education Admissions RequirementsAdmissions Requirements

(HEAR)(HEAR)

ACADEMIC AREAACADEMIC AREA HS GRADUATES 2010+HS GRADUATES 2010+

EnglishEnglish 4 units4 units

MathematicsMathematics 4 units4 units

Natural/Physical SciencesNatural/Physical Sciences

(2 units must be lab based)(2 units must be lab based)

3 units3 units

Social SciencesSocial Sciences

(At least 1 unit of U.S. or world history)(At least 1 unit of U.S. or world history)

3 units3 units

Foreign LanguageForeign Language 1 unit1 unit

Academic Electives*Academic Electives* 2 units2 units

TotalTotal 17 units17 units

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CCHE Eligibility Index

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Top Ten Things Colleges Look for in a Top Ten Things Colleges Look for in a High School StudentHigh School Student

1.1. Grades that represent strong effort and an upward Grades that represent strong effort and an upward trendtrend

2.2. Solid scores on standardized tests (SAT, ACT)Solid scores on standardized tests (SAT, ACT)

3.3. A high school curriculum that challenges a studentA high school curriculum that challenges a student

4.4. Passionate involvement in a few activities, Passionate involvement in a few activities, demonstrating leadership and initiativedemonstrating leadership and initiative

5.5. Community service showing evidence of being a Community service showing evidence of being a “contributor”“contributor”

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Top Ten Things Colleges Look for in a Top Ten Things Colleges Look for in a High School StudentHigh School Student

6.6. Work or out-of-school experiences (including summer Work or out-of-school experiences (including summer activities) that illustrate responsibility, dedication, and activities) that illustrate responsibility, dedication, and development of areas of interestdevelopment of areas of interest

7.7. A well-written essay that provides insight into the student’s A well-written essay that provides insight into the student’s unique personality, values and goalsunique personality, values and goals

8.8. Letters of recommendation from teachers and guidance Letters of recommendation from teachers and guidance counselors that give evidence of integrity, special skill, and counselors that give evidence of integrity, special skill, and positive character traitspositive character traits

9.9. Supplementary recommendations by adults who have had Supplementary recommendations by adults who have had significant direct contact with the studentsignificant direct contact with the student

10.10. Anything special that makes the student stand out from the Anything special that makes the student stand out from the rest of the applicants!rest of the applicants!

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PHS CounselingIs Here For You

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PHS Counseling CenterPHS Counseling Center

What assistance can you find in the Counseling Center?What assistance can you find in the Counseling Center?• Ponderosa’s Counseling Center is here to help students with Ponderosa’s Counseling Center is here to help students with

their post graduation goals; whether these goals are 2 or 4-year their post graduation goals; whether these goals are 2 or 4-year colleges or universities, military service, or technical trade colleges or universities, military service, or technical trade schools.schools.

• Official transcript request available on line through NavianceOfficial transcript request available on line through Naviance• General assistance with college applicationsGeneral assistance with college applications• Informal college visits in counseling officeInformal college visits in counseling office• Scholarship informationScholarship information• Test preparation information Test preparation information • Testing information for SAT/ACTTesting information for SAT/ACT

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Ponderosa High SchoolCounseling Department Staff

• Laurie Portman A – E 303-387-4103• Amy Larsen F – K 303-387-4018• Renee Breur L – P 303-387-4017• Christy Kidd Q – Z 303-387-4019• Peggy Laverty, Registrar 303-387-4016• Sandy Gress, Secretary 303-387-4032

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Time to Get Time to Get Started!Started!

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NAVIANCE https://connections.naviance.com/ponderosahttps://connections.naviance.com/ponderosa

• Students and parents can use Naviance to gather valuable Students and parents can use Naviance to gather valuable information throughout the college search and application information throughout the college search and application process. Use Naviance to access information about:process. Use Naviance to access information about:– Scholarships

– College Searches

– College Visits

– NCAA

– Letters of recommendation

– Myers Briggs Personality Profile

– Career Exploration

– Links to crucial college/career websites

Log in Page (link on Student page of PHS website)

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VISIT! VISIT! VISIT!VISIT! VISIT! VISIT!Tips for Your College VisitTips for Your College Visit

• When to visit: March (junior year) – October (senior year). Many colleges have specific visitation days

• Set up an appointment to visit with the admissions office. Campus tours are given daily at specific times

• Set up an appointment to visit with the financial aid office

• How to visit:– Campus tour is a must

– Spend time in the Student Union, Library, Residence Hall, Gym, etc.

– Visit the residence hall choices

– Visit the department of your college major – science, education, etc.

– Visit with students on campus

– Pick up a school newspaper

– Inquire about school safety and security

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Financial AidFinancial AidExplore each opportunity for financial aid:Explore each opportunity for financial aid:• ScholarshipsScholarships are awarded to students who meet certain criteria. They do are awarded to students who meet certain criteria. They do

not have to be paid pack. There are hundreds – and you may qualify for not have to be paid pack. There are hundreds – and you may qualify for some!some!

• GrantsGrants are awarded to students who have high financial need. They do not are awarded to students who have high financial need. They do not have to be paid back.have to be paid back.

• Work-studyWork-study positions offer you a way to earn money to put toward your positions offer you a way to earn money to put toward your education while you are attending college and may or may not depend on education while you are attending college and may or may not depend on your financial need.your financial need.

• LoansLoans (to you or your parents) are funds you borrow that you must pay (to you or your parents) are funds you borrow that you must pay back.back.

• Tax credits and savingsTax credits and savings are additional incentives for education are additional incentives for education• College Opportunity FundCollege Opportunity Fund – the State of Colorado will provide a stipend – the State of Colorado will provide a stipend

to eligible undergraduate students when you attend a participating Colorado to eligible undergraduate students when you attend a participating Colorado public or private institutionpublic or private institution.

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How Do I Apply for Aid?How Do I Apply for Aid?

• Most colleges require students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This information is used by the financial aid office at your college to determine the types of aid for which you are eligible.

Where can I find more information about the FAFSA?Where can I find more information about the FAFSA?

• Call 1-800-4FED-AID (1-800-433-3243)Call 1-800-4FED-AID (1-800-433-3243)

• Visit Visit www.ed.gov/studentaid or or www.students.gov

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Where to Start at PHSWhere to Start at PHS

• Watch the PHS Counseling Website, Watch the PHS Counseling Website, Announcements and Parent Updates for Announcements and Parent Updates for Scholarship notices in email formScholarship notices in email form

• Naviance links to financial aid resources Naviance links to financial aid resources such as www.CollegeInColorado.orgsuch as www.CollegeInColorado.org

• Attend Financial Aid Evening presentation Attend Financial Aid Evening presentation TONIGHT TONIGHT

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NCAA OverviewNCAA OverviewNCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse

• Commonly referred to as “The Clearinghouse”

• An Organization that works with the NCAA to determine a student’s eligibility for athletic participation in college sports during their first year of college enrollment

• Follows NCAA bylaws and regulations in analyzing and processing a student’s high school academic records, ACT or SAT scores and key information about amateurism participation.

Be sure to register with NCAA during your junior year!Be sure to register with NCAA during your junior year!

Information is available on the PHS Counseling page under NCAAInformation is available on the PHS Counseling page under NCAA

NCAA Clearinghouse – NCAA Clearinghouse – www.eligibilitycenter.org

CoreCourseGPA.comCoreCourseGPA.com

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Preparing for Preparing for the the

College College Application Application

ProcessProcess

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Let’s get this research started!Let’s get this research started!Beginning the process:Beginning the process:

• Check college websites for admission requirements and deadlines.Check college websites for admission requirements and deadlines.– Also check for housing, financial aid, and scholarship deadlinesAlso check for housing, financial aid, and scholarship deadlines

• Do they accept the Common Application, have their own application, or Do they accept the Common Application, have their own application, or both?both?

• Are there supplemental forms that need to be completed by a high school Are there supplemental forms that need to be completed by a high school official, counselor, or teacher?official, counselor, or teacher?

• ACT/SAT requirements ACT/SAT requirements – Does the school require writing portions or SAT subject tests? Will they accept Does the school require writing portions or SAT subject tests? Will they accept

scores from PHS or do the scores need to be sent to the college/university scores from PHS or do the scores need to be sent to the college/university directly from the testing agency?directly from the testing agency?

• If applying to a college of music or theater, is an audition required? If applying to a college of music or theater, is an audition required?

• If applying to an art school, is a portfolio of your work required?If applying to an art school, is a portfolio of your work required?

• Is an interview required? If the college states that the interview is optional, Is an interview required? If the college states that the interview is optional, most schools would still like you to complete the interview.most schools would still like you to complete the interview.

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Things YOU need to know:Things YOU need to know:

• DO use a professional/appropriate email address DO use a professional/appropriate email address when applying to colleges. when applying to colleges. – Make sure your email address is current in Naviance.Make sure your email address is current in Naviance.

• DO begin requesting teacher/counselor DO begin requesting teacher/counselor recommendations as soon as you have completed the recommendations as soon as you have completed the Brag SheetBrag Sheet in Naviance. in Naviance.

• DO write thank you letters to letter writersDO write thank you letters to letter writers• DO plan to apply early during the fall of your senior DO plan to apply early during the fall of your senior

year. Decide if you want to apply Early Decision year. Decide if you want to apply Early Decision (binding) or Early Action (non-binding).(binding) or Early Action (non-binding).

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More Things YOU need to know:More Things YOU need to know:

• DO register to re-take the ACT to improve DO register to re-take the ACT to improve your score if needed. Also, register to take the your score if needed. Also, register to take the ACT with writing or SAT Reasoning/Subject ACT with writing or SAT Reasoning/Subject Tests if the college/university requires themTests if the college/university requires them– **Some Schools want students to take the SAT **Some Schools want students to take the SAT

Subject in the Spring.Subject in the Spring.

• DO KEEP YOUR GRADES UP! Junior and DO KEEP YOUR GRADES UP! Junior and senior year count!senior year count!

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Junior Year CalendarPeriodicallyPeriodically• Visit Naviance weekly for updatesVisit Naviance weekly for updates

– Weekly news updatesWeekly news updates– Sign up for college reps visiting PHSSign up for college reps visiting PHS– Scholarship updatesScholarship updates

November-DecemberNovember-December• Continue researching collegesContinue researching colleges• Junior small group student meetings and parent meetingJunior small group student meetings and parent meeting

January-MarchJanuary-March• Check with the colleges you are interested in to make sure you are taking all of the Check with the colleges you are interested in to make sure you are taking all of the

high school courses they require for admissionhigh school courses they require for admission• Visit prospective colleges during your spring breakVisit prospective colleges during your spring break• Watch for the AP Student/Parent Bulletin and READWatch for the AP Student/Parent Bulletin and READ• Select Courses for your senior year CAREFULLY!!!!!Select Courses for your senior year CAREFULLY!!!!!

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Junior Year CalendarApril-MayApril-May• Save a copy of parents’ income tax return to use in applying for financial Save a copy of parents’ income tax return to use in applying for financial

aidaid• Take State ACT test at PHS during the school dayTake State ACT test at PHS during the school day• Attend a college fairAttend a college fair• Look into pre-college summer programsLook into pre-college summer programs• AP examsAP examsJuneJune• Take the National ACT or SAT if you did not take it in April or would like Take the National ACT or SAT if you did not take it in April or would like

to retake itto retake it• Discuss your college choices with your parents and narrow the listDiscuss your college choices with your parents and narrow the listJulyJuly• During the summer, visit colleges you are interested in attending. Print off During the summer, visit colleges you are interested in attending. Print off

unofficial copies of your six-semester transcript to take with youunofficial copies of your six-semester transcript to take with you• Apply to the NCAA, if applicableApply to the NCAA, if applicable

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Important DatesImportant Dates

• University of Denver College Fair– To Be Determined

• State ACT test at Ponderosa– April 22, 2015

• Advanced Placement Exams– May 4 through May 15, 2015

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QUESTIONS???

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