Life After High School THE JOURNEY BEGINS September 16, 2015
Post-Secondary Options Four year Institutions Two year Community Colleges Vocational Schools or Apprenticeship Programs Arts Institutions The World of Work Military Gap Year AmeriCorps, Study Abroad, Outward Bound
How Many Colleges Should I Apply To? Identify 10 Colleges Reach Target Apply to 4-8 Colleges Safe Make arrangements to visit college campuses and meet with admissions reps who visit Blake.
Four Year College Applications Application Biographical Data Common Application (www.commonapp.org) Application Fee ranges from $0 - $75 Transcript GPA & Courses Test Scores SAT or ACT www.fairtest.org Test optional colleges Essay Check prompts carefully Letters of Recommendation teacher and counselor Audition/Portfolio/Interview specific to certain colleges
Two Year College Applications (Montgomery College) Complete online admissions application Oct 1, 2 & 5 during lunch in A101 Take Accuplacer Diagnostic & Official MCPS Accuplacer Oct 14 Accuplacer Diagnostic Jan 21 Final MC Accuplacer April 13 No Essay or Recommendations Special application for: MC Scholars, Macklin Business Scholars & scholarships essay, recommendations, test scores required
College Admissions Vocabulary Early Decision Early Action or Priority (Honors College or Scholarship Deadlines) Rolling Admission Regular Admission Open Admission
How are Admission Decisions made? Highly Selective (GPA, SAT/ACT) Academic Rigor (course selection) Recommendations (teacher/counselor) Extracurricular Activities (resume) Essay Needs of the institution Responses: Acceptance, Waitlist, Conditional Admit (spring/summer), Denial
What tests should I take? Ask yourself How did you do on the PSAT last year? SAT What s the difference? ACT Have you prepared for taking these tests? Are you considering community college? Accuplacer (MCPS Accuplacer offered @ Blake Oct 14
SAT ACT Testing Recommendations Prepare for the SAT using the free Khan Academy site: www.satpractice.org Consider taking a prep class (Catalyst Prep Boot Camp, MC test prep, Kaplan, C2 Education, Princeton Review, etc) SAT is changing in March 2016; get testing over with before then ACT is accepted at all colleges; consider taking it www.number2.com = free SAT or ACT prep
Score Reporting Send official scores (both*): SAT (www.collegeboard.org) ACT (www.actstudent.org) Your high school does NOT mail/fax test scores. *Many colleges award scholarships based on SAT or ACT scores as well as GPA.
Accuplacer
MCPS Accuplacer October 14, 2015 Sign up TODAY (on Clipboards) You may apply to Montgomery College ONLINE from Oct 1 st to March 1 st for FREE to obtain your M-Number Computer lab A101 open during lunch from Oct 1-5 to apply online. Be there! Only passing scores are forwarded to MC
ASVAB Testing (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) November 17 th 7:45-10:45 am Blake Cafeteria Permission forms due by November 12. Score Interpretation meeting - Dec 15, 2015 (8:30-9:30am) Career exploration test that helps students link their skills & aptitudes with related occupations. The ASVAB is required for entrance in the military, but anyone can take it for career identification purposes without obligation to the armed services. ASVAB is FREE!
Blake Career Center Website Access College Information, Scholarships, Financial Aid, College Testing and Preparation Blake H.S. Code 210959 Required for SAT or ACT registration and college applications
Use Naviance/Family Connections (See or email your Counselor if you need your password reset)
College Visits in Career Center Sign up on Naviance and See Ms. Moore in the Career Center with your agenda book for a pass in advance (subject to classroom teacher s approval)
Search for Colleges in Naviance School Type (2 or 4 yr) Location Student Body - Enrollment Size Majors & Minors Athletics Cost + Financial Aid Special Programs (clubs, newspaper, band, ROTC, etc)
Sally Bengal considers Towson University
Colleges I m Thinking About
Move colleges to colleges I m applying to once you have applied! Colleges MUST be posted here to send your transcripts. Note the submissions type and deadline. Use the COMMON APPLICATION for all CA schools.
IMPORTANT: Link your Common Application account to your Naviance account
MATCH Common App to your Naviance/Family Connection account Common App Matching Video https://vimeo.com/102639828
How to Request a Recommendation Ask Early in PERSON. Ask at a Convenient Time for the Teacher. Use the Request for Recommendation Letter form with deadlines. Present the following materials to your Teacher: A copy of your resume Request for Teacher Recommendation (form required) Addressed envelopes with postage (if college does not accept electronic submissions)
Teacher Recommendations AFTER speaking to the teacher in person, you must submit a REQUEST to the teacher on Naviance. Click on add/cancel requests:
Select the teacher s name and write them a note.
See the Registrar Ms. Marks (15 school days in advance) Permission to Release Records Form (1x) Transcript Request Forms (1 for each college) 1-3 transcripts = free 4 or more transcripts = $3 each Envelopes w/postage stamps (if required) Addressed to college admissions office Scholarship transcripts
Complete w/ parent signature (return to Ms. Marks, Registrar) Permission to Release Student Records (1x)
Official Transcript Request Form Complete this form for each transcript required by a college or scholarship. Turn forms into Ms. Marks 15 school days in advance.
Track the status of your APPLICATIONS
LET S REVIEW YOU SUBMIT online: Application SAT/ACT Scores Application Fee BLAKE Registrar SENDS: Transcript (Transcript Request Form) Secondary School Report Counselor Recommendation (Student/Parent Reflection Forms) Blake School Profile Did your teacher send/upload their recommendation letter separately?
Local College Fairs this Fall (See Career Center Webpage for Details) Donna Edwards College Fair 10/10/15 Albert Einstein HS College Fair 10/12/15 Baltimore National College Fair 10/12-13/15 ALCANZA Latino College Fair 10/13/15 DC Performing and Visual Arts Fair 10/18/15 Washington Christian Academy Fair 10/21/15 Mt. Calvary Baptist Church HBCU Fair 10/24/2015 DC National College Fair 10/27 28/15 To be excused for a college-related absence, a parent note is required 5 days in advance of the event.
Upcoming College Fair - MCPS Field Trip HISPANIC COLLEGE FAIR November 11, 2015 Bohrer Park Activity Center Field trip permission form is required for participation. FREE Bring a bag lunch for the bus & dress appropriately.
On-the-Spot Admissions Events What are on-the-spot admissions? They are local events for students to apply for admission to certain colleges, face-to-face, and get an immediate acceptance decision. How do I find out about them? Students should listen for announcements, check the Naviance website, the Blake website or see Mrs. Moore in the College & Career Center for information.
Financial Aid and Scholarships Financial Aid Workshop Thursday December 10 7:00 pm Amphitheater English Career Center Spanish www.fafsa.gov www.fastweb.com www.scholarships.com www.wiredscholar.com Scholarships link on the Career Center webpage Bring your Parent or Guardian
Scholarships Start NOW, don t wait until the Spring Prepare an ESSAY Discuss your personal financial need Have a RESUME ready There is MONEY out there, but you have to find it Utilize links on Career Center webpage Remember to request transcripts & recommendations 15 days in advance
Scholarship Transcript Request Form Request in advance Include completed scholarship packet Provide addressed envelope w/proper postage and transcript fee.
Notify Mrs. Moore of all college decisions & scholarships earned! Bring in copy of acceptance letters Please report wait-list & denials, too Acceptance data tracked by MCPS Scholarship data reported to Superintendent Provide copy of scholarship award letters
Too Much Information? Check out the College and Career Bulletin Board
School Counseling Staff See your counselor to discuss post-secondary plans Mrs. Kiedrow A-Dh Ms. Hayes Di - Jom Mrs. Baer Jon - Ni Ms. Costenbader Nj - S Mr. Chan T - Z Ms. Smith Grade 9 Mr. Tolbert Grade 9 Ms. Moore Ms. Marks College & Career Coordinator School Registrar