Junior Night Class of 2015

Junior Night Class of 2015 A Jump-Start on Senior Year Mrs. Bowles Tri Guidance Office

For Tonight Senior Year Priorities Planning for College Picking a College What colleges ask for The SAT and ACT Paying for College What Happens When? The FAFSA What Juniors Can do NOW NCAA More Help and Useful Tools Close with Questions

Senior Year Priorities Turning in your Senior Brag Sheet, which will be available next fall Taking the ACT and/or SAT Keep on track with Senior Year Calendar Keeping up your grades Writing your college essays Getting letters of recommendation Applying on-time or early decision to colleges Seeking out financial aid options Complete the free Federal Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) and submit it between January 1 and March 10

College?

Where Can I Find Info on Colleges? Check out the links on the Tri Guidance website Attend College Fairs Take College Visit Days Senior Year -2 days allowed for college visits Athletes can take up to 5 college visit days thanks to NCAA! Attend College Representative Visits to Tri Visit College websites search for the admissions page Call or email colleges and ask for: brochures and application materials dates of their Preview Days

Use This Website!!! http://www.collegegoweekindiana.org/ It has all colleges and universities in the state of Indiana at one place, including admission requirements, general contact information, application deadlines, and application costs.

Picking a School How many should I apply to? An individual decision Reach How to Pick Likely Safety

Things to Consider Large vs. Small Public vs. Private Location Cost Major Visit www.collegeboard.com and My College Quickstart, Naviance Campus Visit!!

Campus Visits Contact admission office well in advance Inform college of special areas of interest Learn as much as possible about the college before the visit Prepare a brief resume of information about yourself Plan to spend a whole day. Try to sit in on a class, tour the library, talk to students in addition to the tour guide, and read the school newspaper Write a note of appreciation to individuals who helped you during your visit If possible, take time to visit schools of interest during summer break

Applying to Schools What do colleges ask for? Counselor form, transcript, school profile Application Application Fee (varies) Essay Letters of Recommendation SAT/ACT Scores When should I apply? Normal versus Early Decision Deadlines These depends on each individual school Keep track of deadlines and have application materials ready well in advance

Applications Early Decision ED to only ONE institution Apply and hear back early If admitted, withdraw all other applications Committed to enroll at ED college Early Action Can apply to multiple institutions EA Apply early, hear back early No commitment Rolling Admission Admission review is continuous Hear back usually within 2-6 weeks No commitment

Applications continued Common Application One application for multiple colleges (those who participate) Allows you to spend less time on the busywork of applying for admission, and more time on what's really important: college research, visits, essay writing, and senior year coursework. On-line Applications Read all instructions Copy everything & print if you can Spell and grammar check Press send!

E-Transcript Most universities and colleges now prefer to receive copies of high school transcripts online through the free E-Transcript (Docufide) service To utilize this service, students must create an account a link to the E-Transcript website is on the guidance page of the Tri High website This service allows the student to also receive emails confirming that transcripts have been received by the college/university

Letters of Recommendation It s okay to ask Can you write me a strong letter? Ask current, junior year, academic teacher(s) Give teachers plenty of notice Three weeks MINIMUM before you plan on submitting the application Supply the teacher with a school addressed envelope (stamped) and a copy of your brag sheet Follow up with a thank you note to the teacher

Essays Usually required piece of application for private colleges and highly selective public universities. However, you can mail them in with your other application materials to schools that don t require essays Make them personal for each school! However, it may be beneficial to write a general essay over the summer and then fill in the personal information as you apply Know who will be reading your essay Have someone read prior to submission Spell and grammar check

Application Calendar Jr.: Spring semester, 2014: Take SAT and ACT Jr.: Now September: Make campus visits Sr.: August - November: Apply to colleges Sr.: September register on www.fastweb.com Sr.: January, 2015: Complete FAFSA Sr.: May 1, 2014: Respond to admission offer(s)

SAT & ACT Tests that are required by most colleges gives them an idea of how you might perform academically Check with schools to see which test they require (SAT usually works) Best to register online to immediately reserve seat There is a fee each time you take the test Rarely will CB offer a refund Must be sent from the testing company to the college Make sure you have taken test WELL BEFORE school deadline Scores take several weeks to get results/be sent out May want to give yourself time to retake test if unhappy with scores

SAT & ACT ACT Only multiple choice questions Maximum score is 36 No penalty for wrong answers SAT Some math questions and essays are not multiple choice Maximum score is 2400 (max. of 800 per section) Wrong answers have Penalty -However, if you re able to eliminate choices, guessing may be beneficial

SAT Most colleges require the SAT Reasoning Test unless it is stated on the application that they want you to take an SAT Subject Test Tests critical reading, math, and writing skills Some Upcoming Dates More will be posted soon SAT Test Date Registration Deadline Deadline w/ late fees May 3 April 4 April 18 June 7 May 9 May 23 Tri School code: 154045

ACT Assesses English, math, reading, and science ability Optional writing exam check with school Some Upcoming Dates More will be posted soon ACT Test Date Registration Deadline Deadline w/ late fees April 12 March 7 March 8-21 June 14 May 9 May 10-23 Tri School code: 154045

Preparation for the ACT/SAT Study! See the Tri Guidance Website for links The Compass in Muncie ($) www.number2.com (free) Use PSAT scores My College Quickstart and Skills Insight (free) Publications, on-line and CD-Rom - go to www.act.org ($) and www.collegeboard.com ($) Kaplan: www.kaplan.com ($$) Indianapolis Kaplan Center: James.Litton@kaplan.com or 571-1009 (free) The Princeton Review: www.review.com ($$) www.petersons.com ($$) www.maxthetest.com ($) www.collegepilot.com ($) Indiana On-line Academy: www.indianaonlineacademy.org ($$)

Super-Scored SAT/ACT Some colleges and universities are now super-scoring the ACT/SAT (i.e. PU & IUB be sure to ask admissions when applying to a school to be sure) Super Scoring involves taking the highest section scores from multiple SAT/ACT test sittings and creating a composite. This allows for the best possible composite score for the student and also encourages the student to take the exam more than once

Paying for College

FAFSA 3 Ways to Fund College Loans Government (subsidized and unsubsidized) Fill out FAFSA to determine eligibility Private Grants Fill out FAFSA to determine eligibility Scholarships Counseling Office will have a listing Visit the Tri Guidance Website

The FAFSA MUST compete to be considered for almost every type of aid Asks for tax information from student and parents do taxes ASAP Federal deadline to file FAFSA is usually in March but some schools will have EARLIER deadlines! Easiest to apply online (Can apply for PIN starting December 1st but can t submit until Jan 1) Submit as close to January 1 as possible Opportunities for free FAFSA help After you do the FAFSA, a Student Aid Report (SAR) mailed/emailed to you February April Review carefully and follow any instructions

Scholarships Applying Can ask for very little to a lot! Deadlines are absolute Range in award amount greater chance of winning smaller amounts (less competitive) How do I know when they apply to me? Look at requirements on the application When should I start looking? Usually start around August more and more as year goes on Where can I find them? Tri Guidance Office & Tri Guidance Website, scholarship websites, churches, businesses, family employers Warning: SSN & pay-based search sites

21 st Century Scholars & Free/ Reduced Lunch SAT/ACT fee waivers Allowed up to 2 per year Your counselor can give you the necessary forms Up to 4 college application fee waivers

What Happens When? Senior Year Checklist

First Semester Visit colleges and attend college representative visits Apply for as many scholarships as you can Take SAT or ACT if you haven t already Narrow down list of schools you are applying to

First Semester continued Make list of colleges, application materials, deadlines Mail all necessary college applications by Nov 1st and call to make sure application packet is complete Apply for FAFSA PIN starting December 1

Second Semester FAFSA! Continue to apply for scholarships If not doing early decision deadlines, make sure everything is turned in by normal deadlines these vary -do NOT be late! Call colleges and ask Is my application packet complete?

Second Semester continued Call college financial aid offices to see if they require additional forms (housing, financial aid, etc.) Review financial aid information sent from colleges Report any outside grants or scholarships you have been awarded to colleges April/May: Finalize college decisions, and notify schools even if you say no

NCAA Division I or II You must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse Early fall https://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/common/ www.ncaaclearinghouse.org Core approved courses and SAT/ACT scores (see NCAA website) Div I = 16 core courses Div II = 14 core courses (MUST have at least a 2.3 GPA!)

NCAA continued SAT/ACT scores Must be reported directly from SAT/ACT Use code 9999 Need more info? See the NCAA website Informational packets available in Athletic Office

Need Some Direction?

What Can I Do Now? Guidance Website -Explore career and college majors Indiana Career Explorer Contact schools for brochures and applications Write down deadlines and gather what they ask for Start to narrow down schools/programs you want to apply to Register for and take the SAT or ACT Write your essays early Turn in your Senior Brag Sheet to the Counseling Office Figure out who you will ask for letters of recommendation Attend college fairs and take college visit days

Keep Pushing Yourself This semester is the last semester the colleges will see when they are applying in the fall Do colleges really care about senior year grades? You can be accepted and then denied months later if your grades significantly drop they see your final transcript Continue to take rigorous classes colleges ask for the list of classes you have picked for senior year Continue to be involved in extracurricular activities

Dual Credits If your student has taken any dual credits through Tri or NCACP it s important to request transcripts from those post-secondary institutions as soon as the semester is finalized. Your student will want to request those transcripts be sent to the post-secondary school they plan to attend as well. Take these transcripts to college orientation and/or when meeting with the college advisor so they don t schedule your student in a class they ve already received credit in. Dual credits also are valuable when thinking military at 15 college credits, many branches of the military will increase rank and/or salary for incoming recruits

Dual Credits at Tri Post-Secondary Inst. Course Name Course Number DOE Name College Credits Fulfills This Course Requirement ACP English Language & Composition W131 Advanced English, College Credit 3 (English 12) ACP English Literature & Composition L202 Advanced English, College Credit 3 (English 12) Ivy Tech Concepts in Mathematics* MATH 118 Advanced Mathematics, College Credit 3 (Math) Ivy Tech College Algebra* MATH 136 Advanced Mathematics, College Credit 3 (Pre-Calculus, 1st Semester) Ivy Tech Trig with Analytic Geometry MATH 137 Advanced Mathematics, College Credit 3 (Pre-Calculus, 2nd Semester) Ivy Tech Calculus I MATH 211 Advanced Mathematics, College Credit 3 (Calculus AB, AP) Ivy Tech Biology I BIOL 105 Advanced Science, College Credit 3 (Adv. Biology) Ivy Tech General Chemistry I CHEM 105 Advanced Science, College Credit 3 (Chemistry) Ivy Tech Economics Fundamentals* ECON 101 Advanced Social Studies, College Credit 3 (Economics) Ivy Tech Principles of US Government POLS 101 Advanced Social Studies, College Credit 3 (Government) Ivy Tech Survey of American History I HIST 101 Advanced Social Studies, College Credit 3 (US History) Ivy Tech Spanish Level 3* SPAN 101 & 102 Advanced World Language, College Credit 3 (Spanish III) Ivy Tech Spanish Level 4* SPAN 201 & 202 Advanced World Language, College Credit 3 (Spanish 4) Ivy Tech First Year Seminar* IVYT 101 Preparing for College & Careers 1 (Preparing for College & Careers) Ivy Tech Introduction to Microcomputers CINS 101 Advanced Business, College Credit 3 (Computer Applications) Ivy Tech Technical Graphics DESN 102 (PLTW) Introduction to Engineering Design 3 (IED) Ivy Tech Design Technology Statewide Elective DESN 104 (PLTW) Principles of Engineering Design 3 (POE) VU Accounting Advanced Business, College Credit 3 (Accounting I) PU Animal Science Advanced Science, College Credit 3 (Advanced Animal Science) Early College: Ivy Tech EC English Composition ENGL 111 Advanced English, College Credit 3 (English 12) Ivy Tech EC Fundamentals of Public Speaking COMM 101 Advanced English, College Credit 3 (Speech) Ivy Tech EC Anatomy & Physiology I APHY 101 Advanced Science, College Credit 3 (Anatomy & Physiology) Ivy Tech EC Anatomy & Physiology II APHY 102 Advanced Science, College Credit 3 (Anatomy & Physiology) Ivy Tech EC Introduction to Psychology PSYC 101 Advanced Social Studies, College Credit 3 (Psychology) Ivy Tech EC Introduction to Sociology SOCI 111 Advanced Social Studies, College Credit 3 (Sociology)

Dual Credits Watch your grades closely in dual credit courses Know when the official withdrawal date is from the college your dual credit course is through If you and/or your teacher feels you are in jeopardy of receiving a grade lower than a B, consider dropping the course If you feel you will receive lower than a 2.0 in the course DROP before the WD period! Communication with your teacher is crucial And here s why.

Dual Credits Students are not eligible for state or federal financial aid while enrolled in high school. However, because they are recorded on the college transcript, grades earned for dual credit courses can impact a student's future financial aid. Satisfactory Progress: After completing high school, students must meet a college's satisfactory progress standards to remain eligible for financial aid. Most college s policies require students to maintain a 2.0 or higher college GPA and complete 67% or more of course work. College grades earned in dual credit do affect college GPA. Dual credit courses for which students earn an F, an I (incomplete) or a W (withdrawn after course census date) will count as non-completed courses. The Satisfactory Progress Policy applies to all courses, whether financial aid was awarded for those courses or not. Repeated Course Rule: Students are limited to one retake of a course if they have made a passing grade. Financial aid will not be awarded for a course after the passing grade and one retake. A student who made an F and a D for a course cannot receive financial aid to retake the course a third time. If the first two (or more) attempts are withdrawals or failures, students can retake the course until they make a D or better grade, assuming they continue to make satisfactory progress.

Email More and more we are communicating to students and parents through email. To ensure you are receiving the updates and latest information, please make sure the guidance office has the parent (and if applicable, student) email address that you use. Be sure to check your email on a frequent basis, as we send several important announcements out throughout the year. Also, be sure to check that emails from the guidance department aren t being sent to your junk mailbox.

Text Alerts Are you worried about missing a step as you prepare for college or career training after high school? The Trip To College.org Alerts program sends you texts each month with helpful tips, deadline reminders, and encouragement so you stay on track To join Trip to College.org Alerts, text the word grad plus your high school graduation year to 69979 Juniors text grad2015

Your Counselor Jennifer Bowles Counselor jcarter@shenry.k12.in.us 765-987-7988 ext. 207 Julie Bowman-Registrar/Guidance Secretary jbowman@shenry.k12.in.us 765-987-7988 ext. 206

Thank You! Questions?