Junior Meeting “Inside the Admission Office ” North Central High School March 15, 2016 Susie Bremen Coordinator for College Counseling

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3 Tonight’s Agenda The College Handbook NC 2015 College Admission Profile College Search Process Resources for NC Students Application Process Panel of Admission Experts:  Khala Granville, Indiana University  Tara Evans, Purdue University  Kyle Kurfirst, The University of Chicago

4 Tonight’s Agenda Break-Out Sessions:  Indiana University AND Purdue University Auditorium  The University of Chicago L249 PowerPoint will be available on NC website: For Families / Guidance Department / Past Topics & Events

5 The College Handbook Admission Statistics –  Class of 2015 Beginning Your Search The North Central Process Required North Central Forms

6 The College Handbook Resources Testing The College Visit Financial Aid & Scholarships Glossary of College Terms

7 Focus on These Issues Now Plan a senior schedule that reveals that you are working at your potential – RIGOR is key Make a list of most important criteria (p. 33) Not knowing your major or career is OK Have the money talk now – Are there limits? Learn the facts about colleges of interest and get a true sense of the campus atmosphere

8 TO DO LIST for April - June: GET ORGANIZED:  In a planner for college search – mark potential dates for visiting, prepping for tests, taking tests, & deadlines for applications & scholarships  Three boxes (yes, no & maybe) Take both ACT & (NEW!) SAT by the end of junior year & repeat senior year Career & interest resources help target potential majors:   

9 TO DO LIST for April - June: Explore college websites, sign-up for mailing lists & take virtual campus tours VISIT CAMPUSES (p ) During & after campus visits, record your impressions – Can you see yourself there?

10 Things To Do This Summer Build a resume for college applications – review sample resume (p. 34) Do something to discover more about yourself or your interest in a potential career (p. 31) Use the web & campus visits to narrow your college list to 5-10 choices by the beginning of senior year Familiarize yourself with application, scholarship, & financial aid application deadlines Test Prep, Test Prep, Test Prep - prior to retaking tests 1 st semester of senior year (p )

11 GET TUTORED!

12 Your Counselor & the Guidance Office Involve your counselors!  Help you target your college choices no matter what your GPA  Help you assess your “odds” of getting in & offers strategies  Remind you of the steps to follow  Help students with special talents, such as artists, musicians & athletes  Help for 1 st Gen, 21 st Century Scholars, students from low income backgrounds, etc.

13 Your Counselor & the Guidance Office Application forms accepted: August 19 College applications materials must be competed and received by DECEMBER 1 for processing prior to winter break. (p. 19) All forms are located in the Guidance Office on the wall near the Student Center entrance. (p ) Allow two weeks (10 school days) to turn around requests for processing College Resource Room hours – 7am to 4pm

14 College Application Deadline Due date to your NC counselor November 1October 15 November 15October 30 December 1November 10 Dec 15 & Jan 1 December 1 All other deadlinesTwo weeks prior Your Counselor & the Guidance Office DURING PEAK PROCESSING TIMES, additional time is required by the Guidance Department to ensure the successful submission of college credentials. Plan accordingly to meet target dates.

15 Apply Online!

16 (Re)Introducing NAVIANCE Family Connection

17 NAVIANCE Premiere Web-based College Planning System REQUIRES A VALID E~MAIL ADDRESS Research Colleges Sign-up to meet with visiting college reps Get college updates from Guidance

18 NAVIANCE Research careers, colleges & scholarships Track the entire college search process Login instructions can be found in your College Handbook (p. 8) and on NC’s website under ‘For Families/Guidance’

NAVIANCE Registration Page 19

NAVIANCE: College Applications 20

NAVIANCE: College Visits 21

NAVIANCE: Scholarships & Aid 22

23 Electronic Transcripts PARCHMENT Register now! Return to the site to add colleges Request electronic transcripts for the schools to which you apply

Class of 2015 Applicant Data North Central High School

25 College Application Issues Rankings can be used in initial stage of compiling a list of colleges, but don’t over rely on them Apply to one affordable college within one hour of home as a “safety” measure Early HS graduation is NOT recommended

26 College Application Issues AP test scores are not a required element of the application – submit scores if you rocked AP tests; credit is awarded when you get to campus Athletes – work with your coach for tips about your process (p. 36) Visual & Performing Artists: portfolios & auditions are key to your process

27 Hit Some Bumps in the Road? If you have struggled & your transcript reflects it (depression, death of a loved one, learning disability, etc.) – address it in a statement to the admission committee Your guidance counselor may add supportive comments to help Transfer options available through Ivy Tech Community College system

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29 $$$ for College Apply for financial aid early in your senior year (based on ‘prior prior year’), ( p. 53 )  # in household, age of parents, # in college, income = EFC Admission applications often serve as initial scholarship screening Need-based & merit scholarships:

30 $$$ for College Outside “Scholarship Season” begins in January  Use online scholarship search tools  Be willing to write essays  Demonstrated leadership  Service to others  Many awards focus on demonstrated financial need and 1 st Generation college students

31 $$$ for College Hands-on help with filing the FAFSA:  FAFSA DAY & College Goal Sunday FAFSA online: (NOT ‘.com’) MARCH 10th is the deadline for Indiana colleges; date varies for out-of-state colleges 21 st Century Scholars MUST file to receive aid CSS Profile National Center for College Costs  FREE College Cost Estimator (p. 54)

32 Suggestions for Parents Complete EFC calculator:  Discuss the financial and geographic parameters with your student. Visit campuses with your student Be encouraging & supportive

33 Key Programs Princeton Review FREE Practice ACT  Check area schools, 9 am – 1 pm  Register online: www/PrincetonReview.com/FreePracticeTest  Scores Back/ Strategy Program: Saturday, MAY 14, 11 am -1 pm

34 Key Programs Princeton Review FREE Practice SAT (For the NEW SAT)  Saturday, APRIL 30, 9:00 – 1:30 pm  Register online: www/PrincetonReview.com/FreePracticeTest  Scores Back/ Strategy Program: Saturday, MAY 14, 11:00 am -1:00 pm

35 Key Programs ZAPS Learning Company SAT Seminar  Saturday, APRIL 23, 9 am – 3 pm,  Cost $89.99 Includes Study Guide & Training Workbooks  Register online: or

36 Key Programs Summer Enrichment Programs Brochures in Guidance Check NAVIANCE “Enrichment Programs” National College Fair  September 16  9 am-noon & 6-8 pm  Indianapolis Convention Center

37 Help from College Coordinator Meet with seniors all year Add juniors second semester Appointments scheduled after the My College Search form is returned  Parents welcome!

38 College Admission “Boot Camp” JUNE 1 – 3* 12:30 – 5:30 pm * * DATE & TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE $ registration fee College & Scholarship research, application essay writing, Naviance & Parchment training Scholarships available to students who receive free/reduced lunch or textbook assistance Application forms available in Guidance Office beginning Friday, APRIL 8

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Princeton Review Prizes “And the Winner Is…” 40

Talk to the Colleges

42 Break-Out Sessions University of Chicago (L249) Indiana University & Purdue University (Auditorium) Changes in admission standards New programs & developments Tips for applicants Merit scholarships Campus Visits

43 Don’t rush off!  Stick around for a great discussion