Junior Parent Night 2016-2017 College Timeline November 2015 Tuesday December 6th, 2016 Junior Parent Night College Timeline November 2015

Agenda Your student Options Course selection Grade point average and class rank Standardize testing Researching options Visiting colleges Senior year Timeline Other things and questions

1. Your Student

Student Reflection How is High School going for them? What are their expectations? What are your expectations? What are their options? Every student will have a different journey.

2. Options World of work Military Junior Parent Night 2016-2017 Tuesday December 6th, 2016 2. Options World of work Military Gap Year – Volunteer, Special Programs, ect. 2 year technical school 2 year community college 4 year college or university Only a High School Diploma is NOT an option!!!

3. Course Selection Colleges will look at senior course selection Sign up will take place in February 2017 Students are encouraged to take a 4th year of math and science 2 consecutive years of a global language AP courses and PSEO “Senior slide” = not being ready for college

4. Grade Point Average & Class Rank Higher GPA and class rank mean more options Students should shoot for a 3.0 – usually the top 50% of their class Juniors have only this semester and 2nd Semester left to raise their GPA before they typically apply Colleges like to see grade improvement

All Juniors will take an ACT (plus writing) on April 19th in school! 5. Standardized Testing All Juniors will take an ACT (plus writing) on April 19th in school! FREE ACT practice test through Sylvan February 11th There is also a February & June test ($42.50 or $58.50 w/ writing) Senior year options are September or October Can be taken many times, but usually 3 max To register www.actstudent.org SAT is also an option

ACT Scores 1 to 36 21 is the average Average means some above and some below! Every college has different averages for acceptance U of M – High 20’s to low 30’s MN State Colleges – 21 is automatic admission St. John’s/St. Ben’s – 26 to 28 for our students Augsburg – 23 for our students Macalester – 31 for our students Our school acceptances are on Family Connection

ACT scores combined with grades can be a way to get scholarships!

? 6. Researching Options Thousands of colleges in the United States 2 year or 4 year? Location? Size? Major? Public or Private? Other factors… ?

Family Connection Web-based program where students can: Research colleges Explore careers Request transcripts Search for scholarships

How is it accessed? Family Connection is on the Web http://connection.naviance.com/ra … and on the AHS website in the Guidance Office Department and on the Quick Links Student accounts – user name and password are the same as student portal login User name – ID Number Password – 6 digit birthday 02/08/00 Parents should log on like the student

Useful Websites College Scorecard Minnesota State Colleges & Universities collegescorecard.ed.gov www.mnscu.edu Minnesota Department of Higher Education Minnesota Private Colleges www.mnprivatecolleges.org www.getreadyforcollege.org College Navigator University of Minnesota System nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator College Board www.umn.edu www.collegeboard.org

7. Visiting Colleges

Car Analogy

College Fairs College Fairs at local high schools March 16th Wayzata High School 6-8 pm March 21st Rosemount High School 6-8 pm March 22nd North High School 6-8 pm March 23rd Mahtomedi High School 6-8 pm April 25th Benilde-St. Margaret's 7-8:30 pm Minnesota National College Fair Usually in October Register before you go: http://www.gotocollegefairs.com AHS had a college fair in November

8. Senior Year Decide on 3 to 6 colleges Know their application deadlines Most are November to January U of M Twin Cities – Priority deadline of Nov 1 Apply before Thanksgiving break Know their requirements GPA and class rank Letters of recommendation Essays

Seniors should pick 3 to 6 colleges The top 10 colleges from the last few years University of Minnesota, Twin Cities North Hennepin Community College Minnesota State University, Mankato University of Minnesota, Duluth North Dakota State University St. Cloud State University University of Wisconsin, Madison Iowa State University MCTC Normandale Community College

Senior Year Apply online Request transcripts and letters of recommendation through Family Connection If they are a Common Application School students could apply using the Common Application In Minnesota many private schools and now the U of M Twin Cities and UW Madison use the Common App as an option. Some colleges may ask for 1st semester grades if they are uncertain about accepting your student

8. Financial Aid NEW!!!! Families apply for financial aid by filling out the FAFSA starting October 1st 2017, based on 2016 tax returns Colleges (via the college, federal and state) provide the majority of the financial aid for a student Grants & scholarships (need-based, merit-based) Loans Work Study Outside scholarships can be accessed through Family Connection

9. Timeline for Students NOW - December 2016 to June 2017 Work to your full potential in high school Study for the ACT Take the ACT on April 19th, 2017 Sign up to take the February or June ACT, if needed Research and visit colleges June to July 2017 Continue to research and visit colleges Decide on list of 3 to 6

Timeline for Students September to November 2017 Find out application deadlines and requirements Take the ACT again if needed in September or October Attend the National College Fair Apply by Thanksgiving break Look for outside scholarships Continue to do well in high school October 2017 Families: fill out the FAFSA

Timeline for Students December 2017 to April 2018 May 2018 Keep researching and visiting colleges Go over Financial Aid packages Keep looking for outside scholarships May 2018 Decide which college you will be attending by May 1st Put down a deposit June 2018 Graduate Fall 2018 Off to College!

10. Other things to know The Power of You with Minneapolis Community and Technical College College Knowledge Month and free applications Raise Me scholarships Free or Reduced Lunch fee waivers Family Connection time in Advisory Individual or Parent Meetings with me Impossible to know it all!

Questions? Jamie Dukowitz College Counselor 763-504-8824 Junior Parent Night 2016-2017 Tuesday December 6th, 2016 Questions? Jamie Dukowitz College Counselor 763-504-8824 jamie_dukowitz@rdale.org