2015-2016

I’m College Bound, now what?

When planning on going to college it is good to have an ACE in the hole…

• Academics• Community Service• Extracurricular

Activities

Academics

Every year counts (freshman and senior included)

Want to play sports in college?Your high school grades are the #1

factor in the college admission decision. Other factors count, but the body of work you

develop in high school is what matters most—as it should.

Take courses that challenge you and require Critical Thinking = necessary to be college ready. AP and College Now Courses

High School Select Campus Select

College courses taught at the High School by a high school teacher endorsed by the college. (Masters in subject.)

Tuition paid, minimal fees (CRJ110) PSY102 HIS121 & HIS122 ENG121 & ENG122

College courses taught at the College Campus,

Student is a college student while in high school

Tuition paid by district if approved, families pay fees and books.

Concurrent Enrollment

Community College

Junior College

A two-year institution, typically granting an associates’ degree, certificate, or diploma.

Career oriented programs are also available, resulting in the reward of an associate of applied science degree.

Examples:

Front Range Community CollegeCommunity College of DenverCommunity College of Aurora

A two-year institution, typically granting associates' degrees.

Offers on-campus housing as well as many other on campus activities such as athletics, student government, etc.

Examples:Northeast Junior

CollegeTrinidad State Junior

CollegeOtero Junior College

Two-Year Schools

After graduating from a two-year school many students transfer into a college or university to pursue a bachelor’s degree, and MANY Colleges and Universities

have 2+2 or 3+1 articulation agreements.

Guaranteed Pathways (GT)

Colorado has developed a general education curriculum that forms the core of most bachelor’s degrees and is guaranteed to transfer between all public colleges and universities. Colorado has also developed guided degree pathways to eliminate the guesswork of which courses to take. You should always seek advising from the appropriate advisor at the college or university you plan to attend to ensure you are selecting the appropriate coursework for your degree and to ensure its transferability.

ASCENT

Accelerating Students through Concurrent EnrollmenNT

• Opportunity to have students participate in Concurrent Enrollment after 12th Grade

• School District retains student and the State pays up to $5500.• Qualifications:

• Must have earned 12 college credits in high school• HIS121 (3) & HIS122 (3) junior year = 6 possible credits• ENG121 (3) & ENG122 (3) senior year = 6 possible credits• Advanced Placement counts as well

Front Range Community College

Colorado State University

$130/Credit hour31 credits x $130 =

$403036 credits s $130 =

$4680Leaves room for

Fees, books, etc.

$377/credit hour31 credits x $377 =

$11,68736 credits x $377 =

$13,572Does not include fees,

room/board, books, etc.

Why should you care?

Starting at a community college is not for everyone, but it is different than what it used to be, because of GT courses. This is something you should discuss as a family and something to speak with admissions representatives about.

Community Service

Use community service as a career exploration tool.

For scholarships like the Boettcher’s Scholarship, it should be meaningful and make a difference.

Must be at a Not for Profit Organization

http://www.sd27j.org/Page/4749

1. Not liking the material2. Finding what you’re good at3. Lack of understanding4. Lack of encouragement to explore5. What you see6. Positive experiences7. Experiencing the Wake-Up Call8. Boredom9. Something to travel with

Reasons why students change their major…

This would be an excellent chance for your seniors to investigate different careers as they pursue their post-secondary options. Students can visit many different tables to have their questions answered about specific programs/degrees available here at CU Denver. A flyer about the event is attached.

The College Major

http://www.e9to5.org/

Extracurricular Activities

• Students who meet or exceed the threshold for admission are, at selective colleges, evaluated based on all of the attributes they bring to campus, including special talents, academic interests, and personal characteristics.

• Specifically beneficial with scholarships

• Sports, Theatre, DECA, HOSA, FCLA, Mentor, Student Council, activities outside of school, etc.

• Time management• Teamwork and collaboration

ACE and the College & Scholarship Application

Parts of an application:• Academic Record – Transcript• College Admission Tests• Letters of Recommendation• Student Activities and Employment• Personal Essay• Application

College Types:• Liberal Arts Colleges focus on the education of undergraduate students. Classes are generally taught by professors who see teaching as

their primary responsibility. Students who attend liberal arts colleges are exposed to a broad sampling of classes. In addition, they select at least one area of in-depth study that is their college “major.” Many employers look for graduates of liberal arts programs, because they are “well-rounded.”

• Universities are generally larger and include a liberal arts college, as well as colleges focused on preparation for a specific career, like nursing or education. Universities offer a greater range of academic choices than do liberal arts colleges, but often come with classes that are quite large. 

• Technical Institutes and Professional Schools enroll students who have made clear decisions about what they want to study and emphasize preparation for specific careers, for example in music or fine arts, engineering or technical sciences. You will want to be quite sure of your future direction before selecting one of these options.

• Historically Black Colleges and Universities find their origins in the time when African-American students were systematically denied access to most other colleges and universities. Students at HBCUs have a unique opportunity to experience an educational community in which they are a part of the majority. They find committed faculty mentors who encourage their expectations of success. 

• Tribal Colleges are similar to HBCUs, in focusing on the needs and education of American-Indian students.• Similarly, Women’s Colleges, with their larger numbers of female faculty and administrators, offer college women confidence-building role

models, greater opportunities to serve in a full range of student leadership positions, and a heightened awareness of career possibilities for women. Women’s colleges graduate a high number of science majors, as well as students who continue on to graduate school and/or professional studies.

• Community or junior colleges generally offer the first two years of a liberal arts education, in addition to specialized occupational preparation. An associate degree is awarded at the end of a two-year program of studies, following which many students continue their education at a four-year institution. 

• Proprietary institutions are considered for-profit companies that operate under the demands of investors and stockholders. They attract adult learners and part-time students in search of narrowly-focused professional training opportunities. These programs usually offer a non-traditional format; many for-profits also have classes solely available online.

Other terms you’ll want to know:• Public colleges and universities are financed by citizens who pay taxes in your state. Their primary mission is often to serve students who

live where you do. Generally, costs to students are less than those of private colleges.• Private colleges and universities are not supported by states or taxes. Some receive support from a religious group.

Financial aid comes in many forms and helps students with need pay for college costs. Financial aid includes:• Grants: money given to students based upon family income and also • Scholarships: awards based upon school performance, test scores, or special talents (like sports or music).

Undergraduate degrees include: a two-year associate degree (earned at a community college or two-year junior college) and a bachelor’s degree (completed at a four-year institution).

College Vocabulary

Different types of schools have different types of admission

Open Admission: All high school graduates accepted (jr/community)

Liberal Admission: Some graduates from the lower half ACT Composite. 18-21 or SAT

Total 950-1070 (Metro)

Traditional Admission: Majority of accepted freshmen in top 50% of high school graduating class. ACT Composite. 20-23 or SAT

Total 950-1070 (UNC)

Selective Admission: Majority of accepted freshmen in top 25% of high school graduating class ACT Composite 22-27 or SAT

Total 1030-1220 (CU)

Highly Selective Admission: Majority of accepted freshmen in top 10% of high school graduating class ACT Composite 27-31 or SAT

Total 1220-1380 (Regis, Mines)

Colorado Council on Higher

Education Index Score

Upcoming Testing Dates

Test Date Registration DeadlineLate Fee RequiredOctober 25, 2014 September 19, 2014

September 20 – Oct. 3, 2014 December 13, 2014 November 7, 2014November 8 – 21, 2014 February 7, 2015* January 9, 2015

January 10 – 16, 2014 April 18, 2015 March 13, 2015March 14 – 27, 2015June 13, 2015 May 8, 2015May 9 – 22, 2015

SAT National Testing DatesRegister on line at www.collegeboard.com or pick a registration packet in the Counseling Office. The cost is $49 for test. The new SAT includes a writing segment and eliminates analogies and math comparisons. It now includes additional short reading passages and math problems that assess third-year high school math competencies.

Test Date Registration Deadline Late Registration Deadline

October 11, 2014 September 12, 2014September 13-30, 2014

November 8, 2014 October 9, 2014October 10-28, 2014

December 6, 2014 November 21, 2014November 22-24, 2014

January 24, 2015 December 29, 2014 January 9, 2015

March 14, 2015 February 13, 2015March 3, 2015May 2, 2015 April 6, 2015April 7-21, 2015June 6, 2015 May 8, 2015May 9 -27, 2015

ACT National Testing DatesRegister on line at www.actstudent.org or pick up a registration packet in the Counseling Office. Cost is $38 without the optional Writing Test, $54.50with the Writing Test. Some colleges/universities require the Writing Test: Check with the schools to which you are applying to see if you need to take this test. Registration after the deadline and before the late registration deadline incurs an additional $19 fee. Check www.actstudent.org to see if you are eligible for a fee waiver.

PSAT & NMSQT

Deadline to sign up is TOMORROW. You can register tonight in the counseling

officeCost is $20

Princeton Review Test Prep

Application Types:Most schools in CO

A college will make its admission decision soon after an application is completed. Decisions are released on a “rolling” basis.

A college has a specific deadline by which all applications must be completed. All of the applications are evaluated, all decisions made, and notification letters are then mailed to all applicants.

Rolling Admission Regular Decision

Early Action• You apply to the college during fall of your senior year and

the college notifies you well before their Regular Decision deadline as to their decision. You are not obligated to attend the school. You may submit Early Action applications to multiple colleges.

Single Choice Early Action or Restrictive Early Action

Early Decision

This is the same concept as early action, BUT the college that uses this form will restrict your ability to apply Early Action or Early Decision to other colleges.

If you apply Early Decision, you are committing yourself to attend that college if admitted. You file the application early in senior year and are notified of the college’s decision around the end of the fall semester. You may have only one active Early Decision application filed

at a time.

Different application plans have different requirements and obligations

Early Decision and Early Action Calendar

Are you prepared to apply early to college? If you are even considering the option of early decision or early action, here are the steps you need to take right now:

J unior Year

J anuary–May Take the SAT® and/or ACT

Visit colleges during spring break

May–June

Take SAT Subject Tests if required

Work hard and keep up good grades (Note: Colleges only have your transcript through junior year)

Senior Year

September–October

Work on and complete applications

Get teachers to fill out recommendation forms

File early decision or early action applications according to school deadlines and procedures

Take SAT or ACT if necessary (Note: October is the last test date that will make scores available in time for early decision and early action programs)

If necessary, register for CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE® online or by using a form

November

Continue filing early decision or early action applications according to specific school deadlines

Follow up with teacher recommendations

Work on regular-decision applications as a backup if you don't get in early decision or early action

File the PROFILE form and any other college-based financial aid forms that may be required of early decision candidates

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)

S T U D E N T S W H O A R E R E S I D E N T S O F W I C H E S TAT E S A R E E L I G I B L E T O R E Q U E S T A R E D U C E D T U I T I O N

R AT E O F 1 5 0 % O F R E S I D E N T T U I T I O N AT PA R T I C I PAT I N G T W O - A N D F O U R -Y E A R C O L L E G E

P R O G R A M S O U T S I D E O F T H E I R H O M E S TAT E . 

T H E W U E R E D U C E D T U I T I O N R AT E I S N O T A U T O M AT I C A L LY AWA R D E D T O A L L E L I G I B L E

C A N D I D AT E S. M A N Y I N S T I T U T I O N S L I M I T T H E N U M B E R O F N E W W U E AWA R D S E A C H A C A D E M I C

Y E A R , S O A P P LY E A R LY ! 

W I C H E M E M B E R S I N C LU D E : A L A S KA , A R I Z O N A , C A L I F O R N I A , C O L O R A D O, H AWA I I , I D A H O,

M O N TA N A , N E VA D A , N E W M E X I C O, N O R T H D A KO TA , O R E G O N, S O U T H D AKO TA , U TA H , WA S H I N G T O N, W Y O M I N G, A N D T H E C O M M O N W E A LT H O F T H E

N O RT H E R N M A R I A N A I S L A N D S.

1. CREATE AN ACCOUNT ON COMMON APP

2. LINK YOUR NAVIANCE ACCOUNT

TO COMMON APP3. ASK TEACHERS AND

COUNSELORS FOR REPORTS

4. SUBMIT APPLICATION

5. ASK COUNSELOR TO SUBMIT REPORTS

6. UPDATE NAVIANCE

Common Application

Gap Year?

Websites and ResourcesThe American Gap Association:  This organization provides resources to help students plan a successful and structured gap year.Whereyouheaded.com : A consulting firm for students planning time off.  GapYear.com: A large site about time-off options, including students' diaries about their year off. This is from the perspective of the United Kingdom, where gap years are very popular. Americans may need to "translate" a few things, such as references to money in British pounds.USAGapYearFairs.org: This site from Thinking Beyond Borders and Dynamy Internship Year provides a directory of gap year programs and a list of 30 national gap year fairs.  Teenlife: Free access to a list of nearly 300 gap year programs.http://www.nacacnet.org/studentinfo/articles/Pages/Gap-Year-.aspx

Gap Year FairDate: Feb 17, 2016 Location: Denver Academy Address: 4400 E. Iliff Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80222

Thinking of taking a year off? It is still beneficial to get all your college work done while in high school., because everything is here. Check out the Gap Year Fair in Denver in February.

Making a PLANThere are so many choices of colleges, how do I pick?

Attend a College Fair

Prairie View High School Sept. 24th from 1:30-2:30pm!!

www.collegefairsdenver.org

www.gotomyncf.com

three information sessions at the fair: Tips for Creating Your College List, The Selective College Admission Process, and Financial Aid Information.  

Before You Go• Find out which colleges will be at the fair (a list may be posted on the fair’s

website) and write down the names of the ones you want to learn about.• Make a list of any questions you have.• Register for the fair online• Bring your list, a pen, paper and a bag to hold college brochures.• Make sure the email address that you give out won’t embarrass you — remember,

college admission officers will see it.While You’re There• Get a map of the fair and plan a route that will take you to the booths of all the

colleges on your list. If there is no map available, do a quick survey of the room to locate your colleges.

• Visit booths and ask college representatives questions• Take a minute to jot down any information you think is important before moving

on to the next booth.• Check out some of the other booths when you’re done with the colleges on your

list. You may stumble onto a great college you hadn't considered.• Attend an information session, if any are offered. Typical topics include

applications and financial aid. These sessions are good opportunities to get expert advice.

When You Get Home• Ask yourself which colleges stood out and why.• Organize the college material you collected and review it that week while it’s

fresh in your mind.• Go over any notes you took during the fair.• Throw out the pamphlets of colleges you’ve ruled out so you can focus on the

colleges you’re interested in.• Add prospective colleges to Naviance

How will you use Naviance?

Self - ExplorationCollege Searches Sign up for College VisitsCommon ApplicationRequest ALL transcripts Request teacher letter of recommendationsRequest School ProfileFind and Apply for ScholarshipsCommunication with your counselor Attend a Naviance Training!

COME TO OUR FINANCIAL AID NIGHT ON NOVEMBER 17 @ PVHS

How to Pay for College

Resources

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/http://

highered.colorado.gov/Academics/Transfers/gtPathways/curriculum.html

http://www.nacacnet.org/studentinfo/Pages/Default.aspx

Student Responsibilities

Gather informationCreate a post secondary plan through Naviance (college,

trade school, community college, military, workforce) Seek out letters of recommendation by ThanksgivingFill out college applications

Apply online (Naviance) Subscribe to the webpage, follow us on facebook, Remind,

etc.Visit with Our Excel Pre-Collegiate Program for additional

supportStay on track!

Pass your classes! Apply for scholarships through Naviance! Remember important dates for deadlines!

Parent Responsibilities

Help your student in the decision process Picking out schools Choosing a career path

BE sure to log into Naviance to check on: College application status Review of your student’s applications Remind student of upcoming deadlines

Take a college or workplace visit with your student (spring breaks, summer vacations)

Attend a Financial Aid workshop for FAFSA support

Counselor Responsibilities

Provide informationAssist student and parentProcess applicationsGuide students through Naviance as they

develop their post secondary plans. Scholarship information and help made

availableAnswer questions