Junior Night Class of 2014 A Jump-Start on Senior Year & What You Should Know about College Ms. Carter Tri Guidance Office.

Junior NightClass of 2014

A Jump-Start on Senior Year &

What You Should Know about College

Ms. CarterTri Guidance Office

For TonightSenior Year PrioritiesPlanning for CollegePicking a CollegeWhat colleges ask forThe SAT and ACTPaying for CollegeWhat Happens When?The FAFSAWhat Juniors Can do NOWNCAAMore Help and Useful ToolsClose 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

Picking a SchoolHow many should I apply to?

◦An individual decision

How to Pick

Reach

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 SchoolsWhat 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 continuedCommon 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-TranscriptMost 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 RecommendationIt’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 CalendarJr.: Spring semester, 2013: Take SAT and ACT

Jr.: Now – September: Make campus visits

Sr.: September- November: Apply to colleges

Sr.: September – register on www.fastweb.com

Sr.: January, 2014: Complete FAFSA

Sr.: May 1, 2014: Respond to admission offer(s)

SAT & ACTTests that are required by most colleges –gives them

an idea of how you might perform academicallyCheck with schools to see which test they require

(SAT usually works)Best to register online to immediately reserve seatThere is a fee each time you take the testMust be sent from the testing company to the collegeMake sure you have taken test WELL BEFORE school

deadline Scores take several weeks to get results/be sent outMay want to give yourself time to retake test if

unhappy with scores

SAT & ACT

ACT•Only multiple choicequestions

•Maximum score is 36

•No penalty for wronganswers

SAT•Some math questionsand essays are notmultiple choice

•Maximum score is 2400(max. of 800 persection)

•Wrong answers havePenalty -However, if you’re able to eliminate choices, guessing may be beneficial

SATMost 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 4 April 5 April 19

June 1 May 2 May 17

Tri School code: 154045

ACTAssesses 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 13 March 8 March 9-22

June 8 May 3 May 4-17

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: [email protected] 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 ($$)

ACT Prep - Sunday, March 1712:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Golay Community Center1007 East Main Street

Cambridge City, IN

SAT Prep - Sunday, April 1412:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Indiana University East2325 Chester Blvd

Richmond, IN

Register today for one of the locations offering on-site ACT/SAT Prep Courses to prepare to take the test. Register on-line at www.zaps.com or by calling 877-927-8378. For questions, please contact Kim Parsons from the Wayne County College Success Coalition at (765) 983-2263.

$60 seminar fee includes;• · 5 hour test preparation seminar

• · Comprehensive study guide • · 6 practice tests per subject

Scholarships are available through CIS Site Coordinators and Guidance Counselors.

The ZAPS ACT/SAT seminar is for college-bound students of all ability levels. Enrollment is limited; register early to guarantee your place.

Super-Scored SAT/ACTSome 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

3 Ways to Fund CollegeLoans

◦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

FAFS

A

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

21st Century Scholars & Free/ Reduced LunchSAT/ACT fee waivers

◦Allowed up to 2 per year◦Your counselors can give you the

necessary forms

Up to 4 college application fee waivers

What Happens When?

Senior Year Checklist

First SemesterVisit 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 continuedMake 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 SemesterFAFSA!

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 continuedCall 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 IIYou 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 continuedSAT/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 YourselfThis 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 CreditsIf 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 at TriPost-Secondary Inst. Course Name Course Number DOE Name College Credits Fulfills This Course RequirementACP 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)

* New in the 2013-14 school year

EmailMore 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.

Your CounselorJennifer Carter–Counselor

[email protected] 765-987-7988 ext. 207

Julie Bowman-Registrar/Guidance Secretary

[email protected] 765-987-7988 ext. 206

Thank You!Questions?