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Class of 2016Welcome to your

SENIOR

CONFERENCE

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Presented by the Cass Tech HS Guidance and Counseling Department:Ms. McCalep-Edwards • Ms. Johnson • Ms. Kimbrough • Ms. Moffitt,

Mr. Rogers • Ms. Sanders • Ms. Sims • Ms. JonesMrs. Phillips, Principal

Mr. Bogins, Assistant Principal

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Today's conference is posted online at:teacherweb.com/MI/

CassTechnicalHighSchool/GuidanceandCounseling

Click on the link for "Senior Conference"

Seniors please study the procedures at your leisure. You are responsible to know and follow

all procedures precisely.

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COLLEGE SELECTION

There are many places waiting for you and will be a "good fit" for you. There are 2,190 colleges and 1,653 community colleges in the United States. There are 60

colleges and 33 community colleges in Michigan.

Find a strong correlation between ...

-your academic record and - admission requirements

- your intellectual interests and - the degree programs available

- your personality and - the college setting

You accomplish this by doing research and by asking questions

Do not consider cost initially!

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Questions to ask when meeting with College Recruiters

•What is the academic profile of the average entering freshman?

•What support services are there for students who are undecided on a

major?

•What is the average size of freshman level courses?

•What percentage of students receive financial aid?

•What percentage of freshman return for their sophomore year?

•What percentage of students graduate within four years? five years?

•What are the graduate school or job placement statistics for your major?

•What support and/or special interests student groups are available?

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How Do Colleges Accept or Reject Applicants?

• Grades/Overall GPA (many schools recalculate the GPA using core academics only ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Global Language);

• Rank (where you stand in your class; e.g. 128 out of 491);

• The rigor of your academic coursework, including courses you are taking this year;

• Standardized test score (ACT or SAT);

• First senior report card (they also study all senior grades on final transcript after a student has been admitted to see if they still should be admitted. Many schools require a mid-year (January) grade report);

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• The quality of writing in your essay (if required);

• Recommendations

• Uniqueness (extracurricular activities, special interests, aptitudes, recognitions/awards)

How Do Colleges Accept or Reject Applicants? Continued

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1. Decide whom you want to visit (see list posted on teacherweb.)

2. Secure a pass from the Office of Student Affairs.

3. Have your pass signed by your teacher then report to 216.

4. Show your pass to the secretary in the guidance office before

you enter the career center.

*If the bell rings and you need more time you must go to

your next class and get another pass and return.

Do not get yourself in trouble with your teacher by assuming you

can miss class to talk with a recruiter. Ask for a pass!

Procedure for College Recruiter Visitation

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Procedure for Submitting A WEB-BASED College Application(We encourage students to apply

electronically)

1. Have a credit card ready. Go to the college website. 2. Click on the link to complete your application online and follow all instructions. Often you will be asked to register first. This sign on and password is usually good for one year.

3. If there is a counselor page that must be mailed, then print this page and submit it to your counselor, along with the CT Transcript Request Form.

4. Follow the process for submitting a Transcript Request through Parchment the same day because the college will be looking for it in order to complete your online application.

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WRONG! WRONG! WRONG! Do NOT:

•Mail application without a check, money order or fee wavier enclosed.•Apply online without requesting a transcript •Bring partially completed applications to your counselor (unless you need help completing) •Drop off your application to your counselor and not return to pick it up. •Apply past the deadlines •Have anything mailed to Cass Tech on your behalf!!!

Reminder: The last day to submit college apps before Christmas break is Dec. 12, 2014. We will resume on Jan. 5, 2015

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Fact: Approximately 400 colleges out of the 2,200 four year colleges in the U.S. offer an early plan. U-M calls theirs “Early Response”

ED applicants • Apply early (usually by November 1) to first-choice college • Receive an admission decision from the college well in advance of

the usual notification date (usually by December) • Agree to attend the college if accepted and offered a financial aid

package that is considered adequate by the family • May only apply to one college for early decision • May apply to other colleges under regular admission • Must withdraw all other applications when accepted by ED Usually

must give a nonrefundable deposit by March

Early Decision (ED) - Early Admissions (EA) – Early Response (U of M)

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EA –ER applicants • Apply early • Receive an admission decision early in the admission cycle

(usually in January or February) Do not have to commit to an EA college

• May apply to other colleges under regular admission plans • Must give the college a decision no later than the May 1

national response date

Applying to an ED or EA plan is most appropriate for a student who: Have researched colleges extensively Is absolutely sure that the college she is applying to early is a first choice Has found a school that is a strong match academically, socially, geographically etc. Meets or exceeds the admission profile for the school for ACT/SAT scores, GPA, and class rank Has an academic record that has been consistently solid over time

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Pre-Qualifications • 2.9 or higher overall GPA

• A recorded SAT or ACT score

Procedure:

1. Find out what colleges are coming for "On-Site" by looking on the monthly flyer.

2. Complete a college application electronically, forward any counselor or administrative recommendations to your counselor, request a transcript through Docufide and see Ms. Kimbrough for your appointment time.

3. Check the front door of the counseling suite or teacherweb.com for your appointment time (usually posted at least three days before the interviews).

4. Come at your appointed time dressed appropriately for an interview.

On-Site College Admissions Procedure

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COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS

CT Counselors post all scholarships we receive at: teacherweb.com/MI/CassTechnicaIHighSchool/Guidance

andCounseling

Paper copies are kept in the career room file cabinet. Hundreds of other scholarship applications (which do not

come directly to Cass) can be secured through various companies, clubs, organizations, or churches. The internet is

often a good way to find out about such scholarships. If you are awarded a scholarship, then please bring the

proof to your counselor.

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College Scholarships

Most are often awarded directly from the college after the student is accepted, has completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and has signed a letter of intent to attend or paid the housing deposit. This occurs in the spring (April/May).

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College Scholarships A "word to the wise"

Several For Profit companies offer scholarship search services for a fee ($30 - $700).

It is suggested you thoroughly investigate any search service before submitting a fee.

Protect yourself from becoming the victim of a scholarship scam.

You should never have to pay for scholarship information.

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College Scholarships

Most student aid comes in the form of federal education loans and grants from colleges.

Look into large national scholarships such as Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), Gates Millennium, Intel Science, Coca-Cola, and Robert Byrd.

Remember, organizations of all types and sizes sponsor scholarships.

Many large companies offer scholarships or tuition programs for children of employees.

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Employers like fast food chains, department stores, and supermarkets often give scholarships.

Awards related to student employment can come from unexpected sources. For example, there are a number of excellent scholarships for golf caddies.

Many free scholarship search companies collects information on hundreds of awards and compares your characteristics with scholarship restrictions. Based on your answers to a questionnaire, you will receive a list of possible scholarships. It is up to you to decide which ones you will try for.

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FINANCIAL AID Apply online at fafsa.ed/gov for a student and parent pin NOW.Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) after Jan 1 and before Feb. 15th• The FAFSA is completed online.

Financial Aid Night is December 2, 2015 at 6 PM

Last year's financial aid presentation is still posted at: teacherweb.com/MI/CassTechnicalHighSchool/GuidanceandCounseling

CSS/Financial Aid ProfileSome colleges/universities and scholarship programs (approx 600 of them) use the information collected on the Collegeboard CSS PROFILE to help them award nonfederal student aid funds. For example, the University of Michigan requires the Profile. Cost = $9 registration fee (done online) and $16 for each college to receive your info. Learn more at www.Collegeboard.com

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SAT/ACT Please refer to the your packets for ACT/SAT test dates. First time test takers or those retesting should complete a paper registration packet (Guidance Office) or register online (credit card needed)ASAP.

IMPORTANT FACT: If you have qualified for a free or reduced lunch you qualify for a free ACT (2 times) and free SAT (2 times). Each time you use a waiver for the ACT or the SAT you qualify for three college application fees to be waived!

Register online at www.act.org or www.collegeboard.com

The Cass Tech High School code (also called the CEEB Code) is 230850 The NCAA code is 9999

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CHOOSING A COLLEGE MAJOR /CAREER

Your Career Lab is Room 216

If you have time in school use the lab or the media center to research information about careers, colleges, majors, scholarships, financial aid, ACT/SAT, and job Opportunities.

Explore the sites suggested on the College and Career Related Internet Sites sheet in your senior packet.

Discuss your plans with others; your parents, your counselor, your grandparents, etc.

Complete an interest inventory.

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FEE WAIVER PROCEDURE How to secure a waiver for the cost of taking the ACT, and or SAT, and or College Application Fees :

1. Complete a “Supplemental Services Survey". Surveys are in the counseling suite. Ask the secretary.

2. Return the completed Survey to the Office of Student Affairs and wait one week for the survey to be processed.

3.Your name must be on the school approved verification roster before you can receive a fee waiver.

4. Only 2 SAT and ACT waivers per student can be obtained in a school year.

Note: There is a limited supply of waivers. First come first served.

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The majority of the funding for scholarships comes from the universities themselves. Participating in-state private schools may work with students on an individual basis but DO NOT guarantee that all tuition and fees will be covered, although they typically put together very generous aid packages. Private institutions do not accept transfer student.

Community College & Job Training Programs

Focus Hope Machinist Training InstituteWayne County Community CollegeHenry Ford Community CollegeOakland Community College Macomb Community College Schoolcraft College

Transfer StudentsStudents will have the opportunity to transfer to a four-year participating university upon completion of an associate’s degree with continued Compact assistance. Please note each four-year college/university has its own policies regarding Detroit Compact transfer students.

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Please complete and submit to your counselor before you leave.

• Senior Questionnaire• Signed Audit Sheet• Senior Conference Card• Diploma Card