Senior Meeting College Selection & Application Process class of 2014 Holland High School

WELCOME SENIOR PARENTS

SENIOR MEETINGCLASS OF 2015

HOLLAND HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS Students with last name “A –De”Suzanne Hemmeke (A-B) and Bethany Nichols (C-De)shemmeke@hollandpublicschools.org

bnichols@hollandpublicschools.org494-2213 Students with last name “Di-K”Robyn Emde remde1@hollandpublicschools.org494-2209 Students with last name “L-R”Diane VanKoevering dvankoev@hollandpublicschools.org494-2212 Students with last name “S-Z”Karen Legg klegg@hollandpublicschools.org494-2211 New Tech StudentsDana Loveland dlovelan@hollandpublicschools.org494-2707

COLLEGE PLANNING ADVISORMr. Raul Jimenez

rjimenez@hollandpublicschools.orgWorking especially with students who are part of the first

generation in their family to go to college. Helping with…

College Selection Applications Financial Aid Scholarships Transcript Request ACT/SAT Registration

SENIOR CREDIT CHECKSCredit checks were mailed to

homes in August.It is important to review your

credit check.All requirements must be

completed by graduation on June 1, 2015.

FINDING THE RIGHT COLLEGES Attend College Fairs-

Sept. 25 @ Hope College DeVos Fieldhouse from 6:30-8:00

Oct. 16 Grand Rapids Bilingual College Fair

Research college websites & college guides Visit campuses –check the admissions offices

websites Overnight/Comprehensive Visits Meet with college reps at lunch

Sign- up book in the Counseling Center **A pass will be sent the day before the visit

Field Trips for Campus Visits Meet with your counselor or College Advisor

4 YEAR COLLEGE VS 2 YEAR COLLEGE 4 Year College

Earn a bachelors degree in science (biology, computer, engineering) or arts (English, history, drama)

Examples: Hope College, GVSU, Michigan State 2 Year College (also known as community

college or junior college) Earn an associates degree or certificate Examples: Grand Rapids Community College, Lake

Michigan College Vocational or Technical School

Most programs last 2 years or less Earn a certificate to practice a trade Examples: Booker Institute of Cosmetology, M-Tech.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE INFORMATION1. A second chance to attend a 4-year college2. Desiring additional academic

support/intervention3. $$$4. Free application5. Opportunity to live at home and work 6. 2 year/Associates degrees7. Placement tests

SAMPLE MICHIGAN PUBLIC COLLEGESSchool GPA ACTU of M 3.85 (95% accepted

are in the top 10th of class)

28-32

MSU 3.71 23-28

GVSU 3.53 21-26

Central Michigan University

3.28 20-25

Western Michigan University

3.23 20-25

Northern Michigan University

3.0 19-25

GRCC 2.0 18

Michigan Tech 3.66 24-29

Oakland University 3.2 19-25

SAMPLE MICHIGAN PRIVATE COLLEGES

College GPA ACT

Hope College 3.81 24-29

Calvin College 3.5 23-29

Albion College 3.4 23-28

Alma College 3.4 22-27

Aquinas College 3.3 21-26

Cornerstone University

3.3 21-27

Kalamazoo College

3.8 25-30

WHAT SCHOOLS DO I APPLY TO? The average student applies to 3-4 colleges Consider applying for a “safety”, “middle”

and a “reach” school. The application fees can add up fast!

STANDARDIZED TESTING ACT (www.act.org)

Upcoming Test Dates – October 25, December 13 Students must register early! Should I retest? Sending ACT scores

www.actstudent.org SAT, SAT II (www.collegeboard.com)

Upcoming test dates – November 2 & December 7

Send applications even if you plan on

retesting!!

COLLEGE APPLICATIONS

Organization is the Key to success!

HOW DO I APPLY?1. Apply Online2. Common Application may be accepted at

various schools (U of M, Hope, Calvin, Kalamazoo) https://www.commonapp.org/

3. Check if individual college requires that ACT or SAT scores be sent directly from the testing company

http://www.actstudent.org http://www.collgeboard.com

4. Review requirements with the NCAA Clearing House (if applicable)

5. Check if there is a counselor form required. If so, enter the counselor email or bring in form.

HHS APPLICATION PROCESS Complete student portion of all college

applications online. Create an account at the online transcript

clearinghouse www. parchment.com If necessary, enter the counselor email or

print counselor information page. If transcripts may not be requested online,

you may request a paper copy in the counseling office. Please allow 5 days for processing.

Meet with your counselor and give a full week for Common Application completion and letters of recommendation.

WWW.PARCHMENT.COM

ADMISSION PROTOCOLS Rolling Admissions

All state schools use rolling admissions Early Action

Usually results in earlier response Non-binding

Early Decision Binding – if you apply using early decision you

are agreeing to come if they admit you….it is non-negotiable!!

ON SITE ADMISSIONS OPPORTUNITIES

Western Michigan University

Grand Valley State University (pending)

All Materials must be completed including… Printed application ACT scores/Transcript Application fee (or waiver)

APPLICATION FAUX PAS Don’t forget to SIGN & DATE your application Only include what the college application

requests Use an appropriate email address

Don’t use an email like partygirl1@yahoo.com Watch your spelling & grammar – proof

read!!! Be sure press SUBMIT if applying online Make a copy of your application

BE CAREFUL WITH SOCIAL MEDIA!

**Information from schools.com and Kaplan

HOW DO I SEND A TEACHER RECOMMENDATION? Ask an academic teacher – 2 weeks in

advance Provide the activities form from the guidance

office or a complete resume. Discuss with the teacher what is required and

method of sending. Follow up with a thank you note. ONLY submit if colleges request a letter of

recommendation from a teacher.

DEADLINES Prioritize – know the deadlines for all the

schools you want to apply to Deadline for applications – shoot for October Students applying to U of M should complete

their portion of the application and notify their counselor by Monday, Oct. 20 so we have time to complete our portion. To ensure consideration U of M and Hope applications should be turned in for Early Action..

Do Not trick or treat until your application is complete!!

$$$ FOR COLLEGE AND FINANCIAL AID Never Rule out a school because of cost alone Net Price Calculators can give a picture of actual costs

involved in the college (compare the costs) Be very open and honest in speaking with your child about

finances as relative to college Apply early and be aware of all deadlines Review HHS scholarship handout Check for scholarships on college websites Organize scholarship due dates and requirements Check updates on “Scholarship News You Can Use” link on

HPS website Financial Aid – FAFSA

After January 1, 2014 and before March 1, 2014 Financial Aid Night (January 13) Be aware of scams!

YOU ARE NOT DONE….. Senior classes – many colleges want to see

rigorous classes NOT an easy year! Keep your grades up – colleges can take back

an acceptance based on your final transcript

MILITARY OPTIONSCheck with Recruiters for Details of

each branch of service

Recruiters visit during the lunch periods on a regular basis (see schedule)

Many options for service including serving while attending college programs

WHAT IF A COLLEGE EDUCATION IS NOT IN MY PLANS NOW?

Local Business Career Networking Fair (time/location tbd)

Resume AssistanceCo-Op Education OpportunitiesM-Tec Programs

TIMELINE FOR SENIOR YEARSeptember/October- Apply to Colleges/Community

Colleges/Tech Schools: Complete applications online. Request your HHS transcript from www.parchment.com Consider retaking your ACT in Sept, Oct., or Dec. Orient to scholarships and begin applying. Watch deadlines carefully.

January/February- Apply for Financial Aid for college or network local business opportunities:

Attend Financial Aid Workshop at HHS January 9 Complete your FAFSA- Free Application for Federal Student Aid before March

1. Attend Local Business Career Networking Fair

March/April- Make Final Decisions: Receive financial award letters. Make your choice, send in your deposit to hold your spot.  (decision made by

May 1)

**College visits may take place throughout the year… more comprehensive visits can be very helpful for schools that you are strongly considering.

Important Dates for Seniors, Class of 2015

EDMODO FOR PARENTSAS A PARENT, WHAT CAN I SEE FROM MY EDMODO ACCOUNT?

Parents are able to see the following in their account (for their student only):• Calendar notices• Assignments due & late assignments• Assignment comments (i.e. any feedback the teacher provides on theirassignment)• Grades• Messages sent by the teacher that are directed to parents• Direct messages their child’s teacher has sent to their child (or vice versa)• Their child’s teachers and their Edmodo profile• Apps the teacher has installed that include parent access

Parents are not able to see the following in their account:• Messages that teachers post to their student’s groups (unless directed toparents)• Teacher communities• Other student’s posts, replies, grades or assignments• Library/backpack items or shared folders

For updates on applications, important dates, scholarship opportunities, and much more… Join our Edmodo group.

We also will be utilizing a twitter account to distribute info…@holhscounselors

WHAT NOW? Don’t procrastinate – start planning now!!! Confused – make an appointment with your

counselor or the college advisor ASAP

QUESTIONS?