James Hubert Blake High School College Daze Program for 11th grade Students and Parents/Guardians March 20, 2013

Road to your Future AGENDA Review and discuss various post-secondary educational & vocational options. Determine what factors will influence your decisions. Review college search process & procedures for college applications.

Field Trip for Students: National College Fair The Montgomery County Agricultural Center 16 Chestnut Street Gaithersburg, MD 20877 301-926-3100 Field Trip for Students: Wed, April 17th during school Fair Hours for Parents: 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Register online https://www.gotomyncf.com $6.00 Bus fee Bring a bag lunch for the bus & dress appropriately.

Post-Secondary Options Four year Institutions Two year Community Colleges Vocational Schools or Apprenticeship Programs Arts Institutions The World of Work Military “Gap” Year AmeriCorps, Study Abroad, Outward Bound

No matter what road you take… Contact your counselor to schedule a “Senior Commitment Appointment” before final exams this year

Research your Schools Resource Books & Catalogs Computer Searches Call or Email Admissions Offices College Fairs College Reps in the Career Center College Campus Visits College Fair

On-the-Spot Admissions Events What are on-the-spot admissions? They are local events for students to apply for admission to certain colleges, face-to-face, and get an immediate acceptance decision. How do I find out about them? Students should listen for announcements, check the Naviance website, the Blake website or see Mrs. Moore in the College & Career Center for information.

Search using Naviance School Type (2 or 4 yr) Location Student Body - Enrollment Size Majors & Minors Athletics Cost + Financial Aid Special Programs (clubs, newspaper, band, ROTC, etc)

Use Naviance /Family Connection (See or email your Counselor if you need your password reset)

Post Your Colleges Here Colleges MUST be posted here or you will not be targeted for scholarships and college rep visits.

Benny Bengal applies to Towson University

How Many Colleges Should I Apply To? Identify 10 Colleges Apply to 3-6 Colleges Target Safe Reach

Admission Policy Vocabulary Early Decision Early Action or Priority Early Notification Rolling Admission Regular Admission Open Admission

Components College Application Application Form – Biographical Data Common Application (www.commonapp.org) Application Fee – ranges from $0 - $75 Transcript – GPA & Courses Test Scores – SAT/ACT www.fairtest.org – Test optional colleges Essay – Check prompts carefully Letter of Recommendations – teacher and counselor Audition/Portfolio/Interview – specific to certain colleges

Scholarship & Transcript Request Process begins with Mrs Scholarship & Transcript Request Process begins with Mrs. Cunningham, Registrar Forms to be completed for EACH college or scholarship requiring a transcript Allow 15 days for processing

Checklist before requesting transcripts Do you…? Know your deadlines? Know how colleges accept documents? Edocs? Common Application? Mail paper transcript and other documents? must bring a stamped, addressed envelope to process Did you…? Complete Parent/Student Reflection Ask for a teacher recommendation no less than 15 school days before deadline?

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/students/ User Name: Student ID Password: Student ID Use the Web to Search for Colleges, Financial Aid, Scholarships, Career Information, and more! H.S. CODE 210959 for SAT or ACT registration and College applications

What tests to take? Ask yourself… Accuplacer SAT ACT How did you do on the PSAT last year? SAT ACT Have you prepared for taking these tests? Are you considering community college? Accuplacer

Register for the SAT and/or ACT If fees present a financial hardship, please see Mrs. Moore for fee waiver eligibility criteria SAT Test Test date: May 4 Deadline: April 5 Late Deadline: April 19 Test date: June 1 Deadline: May 2 Late Deadline: May 17 Cost: $50.00 Late Fee: +$27.00 Wait-list Fee: +$44.00 ACT Test Test date: April 13 Deadline: March 8 Late Deadline: March 22 Test date: June 8 Deadline: May 3 Late Deadline: May 17 Cost: $50.50 Late Fee: +$22.00 Wait-list Fee: +$43.00 Sign up: www.collegeboard.org Sign up: www.actstudent.org

It’s Really All About Fit Be Confident – Take responsibility for your own college admissions search. Be Deliberate – Do thoughtful research about programs and opportunities Be Realistic and trust your instincts Be Honest and be yourself “College is a match to be made, not a prize to be won.” – Martha O’Connell with NPR

Too Much Information? Check out the College & Career Center bulletin board

Counseling Staff Ms. Gelb A – Cho Mrs. Hayes Chu – Ga Mrs. Baer Gra – Ll Ms. Costenbader Lo – Pr Mr. Tolbert Pu – Sm Mrs. Reynolds Sn – Z Mr. Hardy Gr 9 Ms. Smith Gr 9 Mrs. Moore College and Career Coordinator Mrs. Cunningham School Registrar