Columbus North Counseling Center Senior Parent Planning Night

Columbus North Counseling Center Senior Parent Planning Night

Counseling Center Staff Mrs. Sandy Freshour, Counselor: 10 th & 12 th A-K Ms. Emily Tucker, Counselor: 10 th -12 th L-Z Mrs. LuAnn Davis, Counselor: 9 th -11 th A-K Mrs. Karmen Riley, Counselor: 9 th -11 th L-Z Mrs. Bev Addis, Registrar Mrs. Michelle Payne, Scholarship Coordinator Mrs. Jenny Kim, Secretarial Assistant Mr. Patrick Pemberton, Counseling Director Mrs. Teresa Weichman, C4 counselor

Step 1: Getting Ready to Graduate Senior Meetings August-September Senior English classes Will Check Transcripts Current Schedule Semester Two Schedule Diploma Requirements Senior Data Sheet Answer Questions Give Information

Step 1: Getting Ready to Graduate Graduation Requirements Diploma requirements CHECK NOW Pass ECA s in Algebra & English 10 Stephanie Quillen, Testing Coordinator; quillens@bcsc.k12.in.us Retests (if you haven t passed) December & May Senior Project (30 hours total) Jennifer Hester, Senior Project Coordinator; hesterje@bcsc.k12.in.us Project-(15-20 hours) Service Learning (10 hours) & Job Shadowing (5 hours) Proposal (due in October if not in the 1 st semester Sr. Project class) Paper (written in S1 English 12 class) Portfolio/Presentation Due in May (option to present in December) Career Information & Exploration Class (Senior Project Completion) Consult CNHS website for additional info & forms: http://www.bcsc.k12.in.us/northhs/site/default.asp

Step 1: Getting Ready to Graduate How to stay informed & do what is needed Senior Planning Calendar/Bulldog Bytes Naviance (on CN Counseling Center link on CN website) Parent Portal (pick up username & password in Main Office) Grades, Assignments, Attendance, Email teachers, School Bulletins Very important for the Senior Year, remembergrades/progress reports are not mailed home. CHECK REGULARLY CN website- www.bcsc.k12.in.us/page/1324

Step 2: The Right Choice WHAT COLLEGES & EMPLOYERS LOOK FOR: Types of classes taken Grade point average Class rank Test scores Extra-curricular and personal activities Geographical and racial balance Music auditions, Art portfolio, Other PLACES DIFFER! CONTACT THE COLLEGE OR EMPLOYER Check Naviance to see how you compare to current freshmen at the Colleges of your choice!

Step 2: The Right Choice If you are ready to apply, we will explain in Step 4 Still Exploring? Naviance State University Day (August 27 th @ NORTH) COLLEGE FAIR (September 24 th @ EAST) Internet Counseling Center Resources Mail from colleges Recruiters & College Reps who visit North C4 Teachers, Family, Friends

Step 2: The Right Choice Representatives visiting North Check Naviance CNHS Daily Announcements Listings in Show Me the Money Students sign up on Naviance & will be sent a pass prior to date of the visit Parents are welcome to attend by calling the Counseling Center in advance 376-4292

Step 2: The Right Choice Visits off site (campus visits) No SUBSTITUTE FOR VISITING and immersing in the culture & climate of the post-secondary environment (visit the places you are applying to!) Three days each, junior & senior years Before: Make Appointment with the College Admission Office Obtain unofficial transcript/mrs. Payne Complete College Visit form /Dean s Office at least one week prior to the visit During: Speak to admissions & financial aid Tour Campus Attend a class and/or meet with professor After: Return signed College Visit Form to Dean s Office

Step 3: Taking the Right Tests SAT & ACT Registration- on line or hard copy SAT: www.collegeboard.com ACT: www.act.org Take in September-December Cost (SAT $51, ACT $36.50; add $52.50 for writing) Dates & Location (see handout) Test Comparison Chart (see handout)

Step 3: Taking the Right Tests AP Tests Colleges vary on how they use the AP test scores, contact the colleges ASVAB Other Required Exams Check with your college Placement tests, SAT Subject tests, CLEP test for college credit

Step 4: Applying to College The College Application Process Finding Applications College website Many colleges prefer online applications Create an account (write down user name & password) Print the college application checklist Stop by the Counseling Center if you need help finding applications Naviance

Step 4: Applying to College The College Application Process Apply Early Rule of thumb: Apply by November 1 st Check each college deadline carefully Print out required forms & submit Remember, the Counseling Office is closed over Fall Break Deadlines for submission are 1-2 weeks prior Follow Directions Each college has a unique process, most have a checklist Do your homework, requirements & components differ Check to see if student essay or recommendation letters are required

Step 4: Applying to College The College Application Process Be Responsible Know deadlines & mark on calendar Do legwork and necessary research Update your resume/student Brag Sheet Be Organized College folder, application folder, and chart to keep track Add the college to your Naviance account Colleges I am Applying to Ask for required recommendations in August & September and write essays well ahead of the deadline

Step 4: Applying to College Working with your Counselor Most Colleges require a counselor component We advise you to be early & have attention to detail Use CNHS College Application Checklist when turning in materials to the Counseling Office Counselor recommendations, teacher recommendations, transcripts, etc. should be submitted at least 2 weeks prior to the deadline along with a Recommendation Information Sheet, resume and/or a Student Brag Sheet Counselors and support staff complete requests on a first-come first-serve basis If you are not submitting your application electronically or the counselor component is being mailed, leave time for US Postal Service to deliver your materials Allow extra time for the College s internal mail service to process your application as well Be sure to follow up

Step 4: Applying to College Transcripts High School Transcript/Electronic & Hard Copy Must be sent directly from CNHS Electronic transcript can be sent via Parchment or Naviance Transcript includes: Grades, Class Rank, GPA, Type of Classes, Test Scores College (dual-credit) Transcripts Colleges require a transcript from the college that issued the college credit Contact the college & follow their process

Step 5: Paying for College Aid Comes From: Federal Government (FAFSA) State Aid (SSACI) College (merit-based awards) Private (local scholarships, etc) Types of Aid: Loans (you pay back) Scholarships (you don t pay back) Grants (you have to qualify, you don t pay back) work study (you work for the university while going to school) Other Options: AmeriCorps, Peace Corps Military Employment Direct questions to College Financial Aid Office

Step 5: Paying for College TIPS Students & Parents work together Communicate Understanding student role in securing $$ for college Get the Numbers Right Research the actual cost of attending each college on your list www.indianacollegecosts.org www.collegeboard.com Tuition, fees, room & board, Books & supplies, estimated personal expenses, transportation expenses

Step 5: Paying for College TIPS cont. Know your resources Show Me the Money (see sign up sheet attached) Internet www.fastweb.com Be aware: We do not recommend websites that ask you to pay for scholarship searches Learn More Indiana: www.learnmoreindiana.org Indiana College Costs Estimator: www.indianacollegecosts.org Naviance College Financial Aid Office

Step 5: Paying for College COMPLETE THE FAFSA CNHS Financial Aid Night-January College Goal Sunday at the Learning Center in February FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Applications available January of Senior year Free help is available for filling out FAFSA (College Goal Sunday) Received by: March 10 th of Senior year Helpful websites: www.fafsa.ed.gov www.in.gov/ssaci www.federalstudentaid.ed.gov www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov

Additional Information Athletes: NCAA & NAIA Eligibility For college-bound athletes Division I, Division II, or NAIA college athletics Sliding scale: Grade point average vs. SAT or ACT scores 16 core classes: must be NCAA approved! Check the websites for requirements & registration: NCAA: http://eligibilitycenter.org/ecwr2/ncaa_ems/ncaa.html NAIA: http://www.playnaia.org/ Additional Post-Secondary Options: Internships, Co-ops, Apprenticeships, Military (contact recruiters)

Columbus North Counseling Center