What you need to know!

What you need to know!

Objective By the end of this presentation you will: Be able to identify the differences between 2yr/4yr colleges Be able to identify what 4 years colleges use to determine an admissions decision Be able identify the different types of admissions decisions Understand the timeline for college admissions Be able to relax knowing the Counseling Department will spoon feed you with reminders and deadlines

When does the college process start? NOW!

Two Year vs. Four Year Colleges Two Year (A.A./A.S.) Transfer Agreements Lower Cost No Entrance Requirements Placement Test Required (Accuplacer) Four Year (B.A./B.S.) Higher Degree Awarded HS Course Requirements SAT or ACT required Needed for Graduate Work (i.e. Law School, Med School, Physical Therapy School) Campus Housing Availability

What do 4-year colleges look at in the Admissions Process? The Big Three : Cumulative GPA Rigor SAT/ACT/TOEFL scores

Other things colleges will use to determine your admissions decision. Community Service/SSL hours Leadership Your in-school and out-of school activities Employment Your teacher/counselor recommendations Your essay

Tips for the Application Process Early Decision (binding) vs. Early Action (non-binding) Usually Nov.1/Nov.15/Dec. 1/Dec. 15 Other Decision types: Priority (very similar to Early Action) Regular Rolling

Types of Admissions Decisions Accepted Deferred (only during early action process) Denied Waitlisted 2 nd/ Spring semester admit

TIMELINES Montgomery College Junior Year (2 nd semester) SAT/ACT/Accuplacer Prep Take SAT or ACT Review all of the majors on MC website to determine the best fit for you Choose at least 1 Honors or AP course when scheduling your senior year courses with your Northwood HS Counselor. Continue to maintain the highest GPA possible so you can qualify for scholarships. Take a tour of an MC campus 4-year Colleges Junior Year (2 nd semester) SAT/ACT prep Take the SAT or ACT in the spring DO NOT WAIT TILL SENIOR YEAR! TOO LATE!!! Do a College Search on Family Connections under <<College>> and add to Colleges I m Thinking About Choose the most challenging course work you are comfortable with when scheduling your senior year courses. Attend College Fairs and do college visits

TIMELINES Montgomery College or 4 Year Colleges Summer between Junior and Senior year SAT/ACT prep Visit colleges, if possible Attend College Readiness Workshops

College Readiness Workshops Tentative Topics Creating Your Resume: How to Make Yourself Standout: Financial Aid Basics Applying to College 101: Finding the Right Fit College: Mock SAT/ACT Application Completion Sessions Questions? Contact Tammi Wolfson 301.649.8513 or tamara_f_wolfson@ mcpsmd.org

TIMELINES (continued) Montgomery College Senior Year (1 st semester) SAT/ACT/Accuplacer Prep Apply to MC between Oct. 1- Dec 1. (the app is free but only for a short period of time) If transferring, sign-up on Family Connections to attend 4-year college visits at Northwood HS. Take Accuplacer Attend Financial Aid Night Complete FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid 4-year Colleges Senior Year (1 st semester) SAT/ACT prep Take SAT and/or ACT a 2 nd time in Sept/October Sign-up on Family Connections to attend 4-yr college visits at Northwood HS. Before school starts or during the 1 st /2 nd week of school, personally go to teachers to ask them to write your rec and give them a resume and cover letter. Submit a Request for Official Transcript Complete ALL COLLEGE APPLICATIONS by NOV 1 st, 2018! (whether applying early action, regular decision, or rolling admissions if at all) Attend Financial Aid Night Complete FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid

TIMELINES (continued) Montgomery College Senior Year (2nd semester) Take Accuplacer Research and apply for scholarships and grants (although scholarships are offered at varying times, the vase majority are announced and applications due between January and April) 4-year Colleges Senior Year (2 nd semester) Research and apply for scholarships and grants (although scholarships are offered at varying times, the vase majority are announced and applications due between January and April) Visit colleges where you have been accepted

What are Scholarships and Grants? Money to help pay for college Scholarships are usually based on merit. Grants are usually based on need. Awarded based on criteria that could include: Grade Point Average/SAT/ACT scores/being a good student Special Skill/Talent Financial Need Member of group/church, etc. Minority status

Types of Scholarships Scholarships that come from a particular college/university Meyerhoff Scholarship @ UMBC (separate application) Merit-based Scholarships @ UMCP (no separate application) Foundation Scholarships @ MC (separate application) High-profile, National Scholarships People from all over country can apply Usually award large amount of money Competition is usually tough Deadlines are usually early (Fall or early winter) Examples: Gates Millennium, Coca-Cola, Ron Brown, Posse Local Scholarships/Grants Only students from local area can apply Deadlines tend to be late winter or spring Chances of winning are generally better than national scholarships Awards tend to be smaller amounts but can add up Examples: MD delegate & senatorial scholarships, Herb Block Foundation, and many, many more The Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) provides a Guaranteed Access Grant of up to $16,500/year for students from low income families who attend college in the State of Maryland.

How to Find Scholarships Check Your Email!!! Ms. Wolfson sends tons of information regarding current scholarships via email School websites (search for scholarships usually included with financial aid information) Mr. Pabian s Scholarship List Scholarship websites: Fastweb.com, Scholarshipsonline.org, Hispanic Scholarship Fund, United Negro Scholarship Fund

MHEC Maryland Higher Education Commission www.mhec.state.md.us Guaranteed Access Grants (Howard P. Rawlings) - NEED A 2.5 un-weighted G.P.A. in a college prep curriculum -UP TO $19, 000 to go to a 4-yr college - Strict income requirements Educational Assistance Grant (EA) $3,000/ $1,400

Your buddy Howard What can he do for you? 2018-2019 Guaranteed Access Grant Family Income Requirements: Family Size Total Family Income (Line 37 on your parent/guardian taxes) 1 $ 15,678 2 $ 21,112 3 $ 26,546 4 $ 31,980 5 $ 37,414 6 $ 42,848 7 $ 48,282 8 $ 53,716 Each additional person add $ 5,434

www.mdelect.net State Senator and Delegate Scholarship Scholarship for living where you live Up to $3,000/year = Senator Up to $500/year = Delegate Renewable every year (but only for MD schools)

Create your Fin. Aid Plan Complete FAFSA by Jan. 1 Create MDCAPS account See if you qualify for Maryland GA Grant Email 1 MD State Senator and 3 MD State Delegates for their scholarship processes Create a Raise.Me account Review all scholarship emails from Ms. Wolfson (CCIC)

Questions? Tamara_F_Wolfson@mcpsmd.org Brad_Pabian@mcpsmd.org Susan_A_Levine@mcpsmd.org