Welcome to College Information Night September 29, 20106:30pm

Chastity Sward, Guidance Counselor

Value of EducationIndividuals with a Bachelors Degree earn an average of $18,540 more per year than individuals with only a high school diploma.Over the course of a lifetime, college graduates will earn about $1 million more than high school graduates.

Cost of EducationTraditionally, paying for public higher education has been a shared cost between the state and student/family.

Now, the burden is shifting to the student:1970s students/families paid 1/3 cost of college1995~ 40%2005~ 50% The average debt load for students graduating from a 4-year college is now $17,250.27.

Cost of Attendance in Indiana for 2010-2011 academic year

IU$16,298-$18,901Tuition, Room & Board onlyPurdue$18,190Tuition, Room & Board onlyBall State$15,748Tuition, Room & Board onlyUSI$12,500Tuition, Room & Board, feesVU$4,326Tuition only (15 cr. Hrs.)Ivy Tech$1,568Tuition only (15 cr. Hrs.)UE$37,186Tuition, Room & Board, fees

Timeline for Senior YearFall SemesterMake sure schedule/credits meet graduation requirements/admission requirements/NCAA eligibility requirementsRegister to take SAT or ACT if you have not done soCampus Visits (September-October-November)Submit admission applications with college admission office *Some programs/colleges will have early deadlines(i.e. Indiana University Nov. 1st deadline to receive full consideration for merit scholarships; Purdue University Nov. 15th is the admission application deadline for various programs as well as the deadline to be eligible for Purdue merit scholarships.)

Timeline for Senior Year (cont.)Spring SemesterFinancial Aid Night January 2011Complete FAFSA by March 10th receipt date deadlineApply for scholarships of interestWeigh admission offers and financial aid packagesMay 1st typically deadline for accepting offers of admissionWatch for summer deadlines (orientation, registration, housing options, etc.)*21st Century Scholars must complete and return Affirmation letters by March 10th deadline

Choosing a CollegeWhat is important to you?

Consider College CharacteristicsFour-year, two-year, technical or trade schools, apprenticeship programCostPublic, Private, or ProprietaryLocationDistance from home, Urban vs. Rural, Climate, Transportation costs/ease of accessSize, type of campusAverage class sizeLiberal vs. Conservative, Coed, Religious affiliationReputation, prestige of schoolActivities, organizations, sports

List, Compare, and Visit Schools Be organized in your search

Research college websitesAttend college rep visits to Barr-ReeveMake the most of your college visit days

College VisitsImportant to get to that school & see if it fits for youEvery senior is allowed 2 days excused absences to visit collegesStudent/parents responsibility to set up college visitContact Office of Admissions at least 2 weeks prior to schedule visitObtain a pre-arranged absence form from Guidance Office prior to date of visit

What to do on a college visitAdmissions OfficeDepartments of InterestFinancial Aid OfficeAttend a class, if possibleTour campusEat in the dining hallVisit a dormTalk to current students

What to do on a college visit (cont.)Anything of special interest to you (theatre, drama, athletics, etc.)College visit is for YOU not them

Applying to CollegeWhere to begin, when to begin, how to begin

Applying for Admission What do colleges look for when making admission decisions?

HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT(Courses taken, grades earned, test scores)Strength or rigor of curriculumGPA, class rankTrends in academic performanceExtra-curricular involvement *Any leadership positions heldVolunteer experiences

Applying for Admission (cont.)If you plan to participate in athletics at a Division I or II school, you must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse

Must meet NCAA freshman-eligibility requirements to be deemed eligible to compete in NCAA Division I or II athletics.

How to apply paper/pencil1. Obtain application(from college, download from website or from guidance office)2. Complete application & attach application fee 3. Turn completed application & application fee to the guidance office in a timely manner(at least 1 week prior to deadline)

How to apply onlineAccess application online Fill out & submit application onlinePay application fee online May need to download Counselors Signature page or request eSSR through e-transcriptsRequest high school transcript through e-transcripts

Helpful Hints when filling out college applicationsApply early (application fees may be waived if apply early$25-$50)

Most colleges prefer online applications (application fee may be waived)

If you are 21st Century Scholar or Project Aspire student, ask about fee waivers

If you attach additional sheets, be sure to put your full name on additional sheets

Helpful Hints when filling out college applications (cont.)If you apply paper/pencil, follow up to make sure your application was sent.

If you have not heard anything from your college after 4-6 weeks, call admissions office and check on the status of your application.

Know what is on your transcriptExample: test scores updated?

Helpful Hints when filling out college applications (cont.)If youve taken dual credit classes, you must request your college transcript (OCU &/or VU) be sent to your university prior to registering for classes.

BE AWARE OF DEADLINES Students responsibility

READ DIRECTIONS!!(Students responsibility to fill out application completely)

Indiana e-transcriptThe preferred way to send your transcript Safe, paperless way to electronically send transcripts to collegesStudents must sign up (Click on the Secure Transcript link on Barr-Reeves Guidance Department web page)Students need an email addressStudents will receive an email when your transcript has been sent & receivedFree & available 24/7

College Admissions TestsACT or SAT

ACT or SATEvery 4-year institution will require ACT or SAT scores Will want to check with other colleges or trade schools to see if they require test scoresIf you havent taken the ACT or SAT and plan on attending a 4-year institution, you need to be taking one of these exams ASAPMust registerTest dates and registration deadlines are posted in the guidance office, bulletin board outside the guidance office, and senior newsletters.

ACT or SAT (cont.)May register online (preferred) or paper/pencil ACT registration materials available in the guidance officeIf you are a 21st Century Scholar or Project Aspire student, ask about fee waiversStudents with disabilities may be eligible to receive accommodationsIf you plan on taking the ACT, check to see if your college requires the optional Writing portion

SATCritical ReadingMathWritingAverage score is about 500 on each section of the testEach section is scored on the 200-800 scale, where 200 is lowest and 800 is highest

ACTEnglishMathReadingScienceWriting (Optional, but required by many colleges)Average Composite Score (21.0) *The composite score is an average of the four test scores (Eng, Math, Reading, & Science)Each test is scored on the 1-36 scale, where 1 is lowest and 36 is highest

How do I pay for college?

Types of Financial AidGrantsScholarshipsWork-study programLoans

GrantsFinancial aid that you do not have to repay. Government and other organizations award grants usually based on financial needAcademic Competitiveness Grant:Up to $750 for the first year of undergraduate study/ $1300 for second yearMust be full-time student and eligible for pell grantMust have successfully completed Core 40 or AHD

Grants (cont.)National SMART Grant:Will provide up to $4,000 for each of the 3rd & 4th years of undergraduate study Must be full-time student & eligible for a Pell GrantMust be majoring in physical, life or computer sciences, mathematics, technology or engineering; or in a foreign language determined critical to national security

ScholarshipsFinancial aid that you do not have to repay - We LIKE these!!May be given for academic excellence (merit-based), financial need, distinction in a certain activity (sports or 4-H), or affiliation with a religious, civic, or school organization. May be one-time award or renewable each yearMany are only awarded to incoming freshman

Work-Study ProgramsStudents work as part of their financial aid Usually on-campus jobs

LoansBorrowed money, will be paid backWITH INTEREST!!Many types of loansSome are federally regulated, some offered by private companies

How to apply for financial aid

Fill out your FAFSA each year(Free Application for Federal Student Aid)Must be received by Federal Processor by March 10th of each yearAttend Financial Aid NightContact Financial Aid Office at your university for university-specific forms or financial aid applications. Most colleges will offer Early Aid Estimator

Scholarship TipsRead Senior Newsletters and Barr-Reeve Scholarship Booklet Check with financial aid office at individual college/universityCheck with program or specific department at your university (i.e. School of Business)Local organizations or businesses **parents employerSearch internet BEWARE OF SCHOLARSHIP SEARCHESNEVER PAY $ TO GET A SCHOLARSHIP

When filling out scholarship applications..

Remember, your application is a representation of YOU.Read and follow directions carefullyBe Neat Type-written applications recommendedUtilize FoxIt Reader we can scan documents so you can type them!!Be honest and be yourselfHighlight your strengths; be truthful without being boastful

When filling out scholarship applications (cont.)..

Watch deadlines financial aid offices and scholarship personnel adhere to them!

Double check yur spelling

You are responsible for making sure all parts of the application arrive on time. If letters of recommendation or transcripts are required, give the people who will provide these generous lead time.

When filling out scholarship applications (cont.)..

Make a copy of the application for your file

Keep a written record of the scholarships for which you applied. Make a note of the deadlines, requirements, and responses. Recommendation letters

Recommendation Letter TipsChoose wiselyBe considerate of others time(ask 1-2 weeks prior to deadline)Make certain your references know you well.Even if someone has known you for years, they may be unaware of community involvement, awards, etc. You are trying to set yourself apart from other applicantsinform those who are writing your letters of recommendation.

Recommendation Letter Tips (cont.)Provide resume outlining:Extra-curricular activities, honors, awards, leadership positions held, employment, volunteer activities, community involvementType resume and save to distribute throughout the yearContinue to update as year progresses Include a stamped, addressed envelope if the recommendation is to be mailed separatelyWrite a personal note of thanks

John Daniel Doe

Address

Montgomery, IN 47558

(812) 123-4567

johndoe@hotmail.com

Objective

To become a successful student at Butler and to become an excellent pharmacist.

Work Experience

August 2007-Present: Student intern, Main Street Pharmacy, Washington, IN.

Fill prescriptions, run cash register, assist pharmacists

June 2007-Present: Pharmacy Tech-In-Training, Williams Bros. Pharmacy, Washington, IN.

Fill prescriptions, assist pharmacists, file paperwork

June 2006-August 2006: Carpenter, Wittmer Bros. Construction, Loogootee, IN.

Built houses, repaired roofs, cleaned house when completed

September 2005-May 2006: Child-care provider, YMCA, Washington, IN.

Provided child-care for 5-10 year olds

May 2004-Present: Cashier/Clerk, Graber Auctions, Montgomery, IN.

Run cash register, assist customers, write auction sales on tickets

Education

Barr-Reeve High School, Montgomery, IN will graduate in 2010 with Academic Honors Diploma.

Senior Classes: Physics, Pre-calculus, Art IV, Economics/Government, Work Internship, English 12 Honors (dual-credit with Vincennes University)

Honors and Activities

High Honor Roll; Art Club; Art Club Secretary/Treasurer; Beta Club; Spanish Club; church youth group; Varsity golf team member sophomore and junior year; Team Mental Attitude Award; nominated for: Whos Who Among American High School Students; National Science Merit Scholarship, and United States Student Achievement Award

*Volunteer Work: Participated in Day of Caring during Junior and Senior year, AngelWorx volunteer, went to World Missionary Press for youth mission trip, went to Phoenix, Arizona for youth mission trip, went to Belize for church mission trip

Special Skills and Abilities

Strong math, chemistry, and people skills. Excellent attendance record.

References

Available upon request

Ive been accepted, now what?Compare/contrast colleges and financial aid packages from each schoolWhat questions do I need to find out before making my decision?Typically prospective students dont have to make a decision until May 1stPrior to May need to make housing decisionsVery appropriate to contact and inform schools if you are declining their offer of admission

Points to ponderIf you are a 21st Century Scholar or Project Aspire participant, you can receive fee waivers for college application fees and SAT/ACT registration fees.OCU, UE, Marian, Franklin cover remaining tuition not covered by 21st Century Scholars Award = full tuition!IU & Purdue provide financial assistance for housing, if you are a 21st Century Scholar & meet eligibility requirements.

Things to rememberGRADES, GRADES, GRADES!!Dont lose sight of your goalsColleges will request a final transcript in JuneColleges have the right to rescind their offers of admission, scholarships or change financial aid packages if your grades, diploma track, or class rank change!!

Things to remember (cont.)Stay organizedKeep a calendar of important dates & deadlinesSavor the moments working together as a family

Questions?