Post-Secondary Planning September 15, 2016

Counselor Advice Yes, soon, you will be making a leap into your future. You can do it. Always strive to: Make informed choices Engage with the process Use your resources well Remain calm and organized Not a life or death decision

Helpful Resources Counselors Educational Talent Search (Tues & Wed) Loretta Collins: A-D Herb Crowell: E-J Amy Webster K-M John Pemberton N-Sa Teresa Savage: Sc-Z Danielle Seifert/Eman Abdullahi: CCC Coordinators Educational Talent Search (Tues & Wed) Upward Bound (Mon & Wed after school) College Admission Offices College Rep Visits at Washburn: Sign up on Naviance (visit schedule) Pass will be sent by Danielle/Eman

MPS Graduation Requirements Course Credits Make-up English 4 credits (4 years) After school credit recovery starts Monday, September 19. Complete form in counseling office to sign up. Social Studies Math 3 credits (3 years) Science Health 1 credit (1 year) PE Fine Arts Total Credits 21.5 credits Take ACT or Accuplacer My Life Plan Complete all Assignments

Next Steps…Pick Your Path Military Gap Year Service – Americorps Travel Apprenticeship/Work College/University 2 year or 4 year? Public or Private?

Senior Year Timeline Fall: Applications 9/22 College Application and FAFSA Night for families 10/4 National College Fair @ Convention Center 10/7 Senior Status letters sent home 10/22 ACT (register by 9/16) 11/1 U of M application deadline 11/8 MNACC College Fair @ Washburn Winter: Scholarships/Financial Aid 11/10 FAFSA Presentation Night 11/17 MN Dream Act FAFSA Workshop 12/10 ACT (register by 11/4) 12/13 MN Dream Act FAFS Workshop 2/1 Washburn Scholarship Applications distributed 3/1 Application Decisions 3/1 FAFSA “Deadline” Spring: Graduation 4/10 Graduation Status letters sent home 4/15 Financial Aid packages 5/1 Make Final Decisions 6/7 Graduation 4:30pm

Roles Student Project Manager Naviance (Managing Tool) Parent Supporting conversations Reality check Balance between independence/dependence Counselor/Coordinator Answer questions Provide resources Write letters if needed; send transcripts and forms

College: Determining Your List Have a balance of “Reach,” “Possible” and “Likely” schools

Determining Good Schools A good school is one that is a good fit for you What is a good fit? A school where you will be happy, engaged, grow and meet your needs (educational, personal social and financial)

Using Your Numbers: Your Profile Primary Factors in your “Profile” G.P.A. Rigor of coursework ACT or SAT Test Scores Secondary Factors in your “Profile” Demographic diversity Class rank Activities/ Unusual Talent Work experience Volunteering

Comparing Your Profile Likely – realistic Your profile is SIGNIFICANTLY stronger than the typical freshman 60-90% chance of admission Possible – selective Your profile is similar to the typical freshman 30-60% chance of admission Reach – more selective Your profile is not as strong as the typical freshman less than 30% chance of admission

Use of Scattergrams

General Application Tips Professional Appropriate grammar, punctuation Spell/Grammar check No texting language Professional e-mail address Your application (not Mom’s!) Honesty & Integrity Read the Directions Answer the questions Meet Deadlines

Applications/Deadlines Options Know which application methods will be the least time consuming. The Common Application Institutional Application The Coalition Application (new) Know your deadlines Rolling Admissions Regular Deadline Early Action/Priority Deadline Early Decision

Naviance: Tracking Tool

Teacher Letter of Recommendation Check applications carefully to see if you need one (Danielle or Eman or your counselor can help you with this) Request 2-4 weeks prior to when you need them Write a thank you note to teacher

Weekly Senior Classroom Meetings U of M and UW Madison Private Colleges Writing a Good Essay 4 Year MNSCU Schools and UW System Community Colleges, Tech, and Apprenticeships Financial Aid Overview Applying for Financial Aid Local Scholarships Decoding Your Financial Aid Letter Senior Survey

Meeting With Your Counselor Meet with your counselor for one of three types of appointments. Make the appointment with Maggie. Meeting Type “A”: Question and Answer session (up to 20 minutes). Meeting Type “B”: Set your list of schools that you are applying to and inform us about what materials you will need from the school. Counselor will load info to Naviance. Yes, you can still do a Q & A with us. (30 minutes). Meeting Type “C”: If needed, counselor interview to write a letter of recommendation. You must have first had at least a “B” meeting with us first (45 minutes). You can also meet with Ms. Seifert or Ms. Eman in CCC at any time for questions and answers. Step 1a. Develop Potential College List Step 1b. Determine Requirements & Complete Application(s) Step 1c. Request test scores sent from ACT/SAT Step 5 Initial application meeting with counselor (15-30 minutes) Add schools to which you are applying to Naviance Transcripts, requests for fee waivers, profile, permission to send data form, student ratings forms all sent. Don’t need college’s form. Report to counselor who is writing recommendation (if required). Must fill out “Recommendation Form” on Naviance. 2 weeks notice minimum! Matching Common App with Naviance (if required) $2 per transcript after the first three. Pay in May. Step 6 Interview Meeting, if necessary (40-45 minutes) Counselor Interview must be at least two weeks prior to deadline. Step 7 Follow-up with your Counselor either in person or over e-mail to either add schools to your list or if you have other questions. Remember! All pieces of the app don’t have to be sent at the same time!

General Application Instructions 1. Develop your list of schools Know your deadlines 2. Complete your applications 3. Send your ACT or SAT scores Student must do this by logging into actstudent.org

General Application Instructions (continued) 4. Set up Counselor Meeting “B” Transcripts School Profile (colleges use to determine course rigor) Sign FERPA waiver Fee Waiver Inform counselor of teacher recommendations if needed Match Naviance to Common App (if using) 5. Set up Counselor Meeting “C” if necessary Counselor interview 6. Check Naviance frequently if you are concerned about school materials being sent.