W ELCOME S ENIOR P ARENTS. H OLLAND H IGH S CHOOL C OUNSELORS Students with last name “A –De” Suzanne Hemmeke (A-B) and Bethany Nichols (C-De)...

WELCOME SENIOR PARENTS

HOLLAND HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS Students with last name “A –De”

Suzanne Hemmeke (A-B) and Bethany Nichols (C-De)

shemmeke@hollandpublicschools.org bnichols@hollandpublicschools.org

494-2213 Students with last name “Di-K”

Robyn Emde remde1@hollandpublicschools.org

494-2209 Students with last name “L-R”

Rebecca Siegel rsiegel@hollandpublicschools.org

494-2212 Students with last name “S-Z”

Karen Legg klegg@hollandpublicschools.org

494-2211 New Tech Students

Dana Loveland dlovelan@hollandpublicschools.org

494-2707

COLLEGE PLANNING ADVISOR

Mrs. Celina Flegalcflegal@hollandpublicschools.org

Working 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 CHECKS

Credit checks were mailed to homes in August.

It is important to review your credit check.

All requirements must be completed by graduation on May 20, 2016.

PLANNING FOR LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOLCollege? Career? Creating a plan…

FINDING THE RIGHT COLLEGES

Attend College Fairs- Oct. 1 @ Hope College DeVos Fieldhouse from

6:30-8:00 Oct. 15 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 INFORMATION

1. A second chance to attend a 4-year college

2. Desiring additional academic

support/intervention

3. $$$

4. Free application

5. Opportunity to live at home and work

6. 2 year/Associates degrees

7. Placement tests

SAMPLE MICHIGAN PUBLIC COLLEGESSchool GPA ACT

U 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

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

COLLEGE APPLICATIONS

Organization is the Key to success!

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!

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.

WWW.PARCHMENT.COM

STANDARDIZED TESTING

ACT (www.act.org) Upcoming Test Dates – October 24, December 12 Students must register early! Should I retest? Sending ACT scores

www.actstudent.org

SAT, SAT II (www.collegeboard.com) Upcoming test dates – November 7

Send applications even if you plan on

retesting!!

ON SITE ADMISSIONS OPPORTUNITIES

Western Michigan University

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. 19 U of M and Hope applications should be turned in for Early Action..

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

SCHOLARSHIPS AND $ FOR COLLEGE 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 FOR COLLEGE Financial Aid – FAFSA

After January 1, 2016 and before March 1, 2016

Financial Aid Night (January7 @ 6:30) 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

TIMELINE FOR SENIOR YEAR

September/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 2016

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?