Spring 2012

 College Selection Process – Finding Your Fit  Testing  Naviance & College Applications  Tracking deadlines  Teacher & Counselor Recommendations  Financial Aid

Academic Fit Major – Minor Internships – Research Study Abroad Size Very Large - ASU Large – CU Boulder Medium – LMU Small – Colorado College Location Urban - NYU Suburban - DU Rural – Miami Ohio Activities find colleges that fit your personality and interests Financial Aid have a family discussion how important are scholarships NCAA Eligibility Academies ROTC Have Discussions W/ family members Teachers Neighbors Current college students

THE STUDENT PROVIDES  GPA Highest Possible  Quality of Classes – four year plan to meet selectivity of college, choose impressive electives  Test Scores – ACT or SAT - in the college’s range  Leadership/Volunteerism – beyond required  Activities – depth vs. breath THE COLLEGES LOOK FOR  Transcript  Rigor of classes (honors/AP)  Upward Trends  Senior Grades – what’s expected  Test Scores  ACT & SAT – viewed equally  Essays  Activities  Detailed description of leadership & service  Teacher Recommendations  Counselor Recommendations

 How are scores used by colleges?  Students are responsible for sending test scores from testing ACT & SAT  Recommended – April ACT & May/June SAT  Retest as a Senior if needed, 3 or 4 times max  AP Tests & SAT II Subject Tests  Test Optional & Test Flexible  If you are working with Ms. Hogan, be sure to keep her informed of your application and testing needs.

 #1 Juniors should register for the SAT and the ACT immediately. Testing now will give them their first score to be used in determining if they fit the criteria of a college or university.  #2 Juniors can test again at the end of this school year. They can see their improvement.  #3 If necessary they can test again in the fall, the first test date of the senior year. All students will have taken the tests three times for their best score possible.

Naviance -

You must enter your Common App information or your Common App will not be sent! If you are not applying to ANY Common App colleges you still complete the waiver forms

1. Click ‘lookup’ and add colleges 2. Request transcripts 3. Select which application type you are applying to. 4. Click the box if you have submitted the application for that college

+ add colleges to this list add every college you are applying to request transcripts add every college you are applying to Teacher Recs Add your counselor and teachers

This screen tells you everything you need to know about the application status of your applications.

Before adding any teacher you must personally speak with them. Under your list of colleges add your counselor and any teachers writing your recommendations. They will be notified via once selected.

 Naviance  Talk about FERPA waiver and permissions given  Transcripts  Teacher Recommendations  Counselor Recommendations  School Forms

 Ways to Apply  Common Application Colleges ▪ If a college offers the Common App & their own application YOU MUST do the Common App! ▪ Application materials are sent electronically from Naviance to Common App ▪ Standardized Test Scores must be sent by the student  Non-Common Application ▪ Electronic Submission– college accepts electronic documents from Naviance ▪ Mail Submission – certain colleges only accept application materials through the US Mail  Colleges typically require: * Completed Application* Official Transcripts * Test Scores* Essays/Personal Statements * Resume/List of Activities* Teacher/Counselor Recs

 The College Essay  Essay Writing summer class  Personal Statement  Supplemental Essays  Teacher Letters of Recommendation  Addresses intellectual curiosity & academic ability  Junior Year core teacher ▪ Some colleges require a Math/Science recommendation  Consider now who you would consider

 Complete Naviance surveys: ▪ These help us get to know you better and to write stronger recommendations  Junior & Senior Interview  Personality Type  Activity Survey  Junior & Senior Questionnaires  Parent Brag Sheet

 Students Responsibilities:  Submitting Applications ▪ Application Type ▪ Early – Rolling – Regular ▪ Meeting Deadlines  Submitting Test Scores  Writing their own essays  Using Naviance regularly  Tracking Application Status  Counselors Responsibilities:  Sending transcripts, school reports, and counselor recommendations through Naviance.  Teacher Responsibilities:  Uploading recommendation and evaluation forms into Naviance.

WHAT IS THE FAFSA? -  Ensures consistent information is received in financial aid offices the student applies to  In each respective financial aid office, the FAFSA allows them to equitably evaluate each family’s financial circumstances and help provide access to higher education opportunities FAFSA  Free Application for Federal Student Aid  FAFSA is required for need- based aid  The FAFSA information gauges the students’ eligibility for different types of funds

Financial Aid, Scholarships & Additional Information  Colleges have unique priority deadlines  Apply early, funding can run out  The FAFSA uses information from the past years federal tax information  The sooner the FAFSA is complete, the more time the Financial Aid office at the college has to award and notify the student so the family can make an informed decision  Some universities also require the CSS Profile or their own financial aid application Deadlines The FAFSA is available after Jan. 1 of the student’s senior year- so Jan May 1 is the National Candidates Reply Date

-By completing the FAFSA the student is eligible for Federal Direct Loans (subsidized, unsubsidized) -Depending on funding and eligibility requirements, the student may also be eligible for the Perkins loan (subsidizes campus-based loan program funded by the federal government) -Alternative student loans known as private loans can also help bridge the gap between the actual cost of education and the limited amount the government allows a student to borrow through their loan programs -The Parent PLUS Loan allows students to borrow up to the cost of attendance when less financial aid is offered to the student Student Loans

 When choosing a school, review their “bottom line” and determine how much loan funds are necessary each year.  As a general rule, multiply that by 4 years and start looking at the loan calculators available online  Start a budget, make a plan, understand your responsibility upon graduation

 Junior meetings help clarify expectations  Provide families with specialized college counseling  Understand specific admission policiees College Application Bootcamp  develop college list  begin scholarship search  complete a rough draft of Common Application & College Essays  complete a college admission Case Study  Contact  –  Call Mrs. Dorsey at

 Selecting a College/ Building Your College List  College Evaluation Chart  Junior Testing Timeline  Tips for visiting colleges/ visiting with College Reps.  Questions to ask College Representatives  Selectivity of various universities  College Admissions Decisions  Colorado Public Universities Selection Index  College Opportunity Fund  Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)