WELCOME SENIORS!

Post-Secondary Planning:

The Time is NOW

First Things First…..

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DT7WXGL

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

What are my options for after high school??

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?

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!

October is College Application Month!!

You are responsible for meeting deadlines and submitting complete applications!

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

Daniel’s Fund

One Last Time, Please

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DT7WXGL

Questions?