James Hubert Blake High School College Daze Program for 11th grade Students and Parents/Guardians March 22, 2016

Road to your Future AGENDA Upcoming events for juniors 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: Tuesday, April 19th during school Fair Hours for Parents: Wed 4/19 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Register online: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/blakehs/ https://www.gotomyncf.com Signed Parent Permission Form Required $6.00 Bus fee (pay online) Bring a bag lunch for the bus & dress appropriately.

College Essay Writing Clinic Wednesday, June 1st (pending) English classes report to AMP

Which Test Should I Take? All JUNIORS MUST take at least one of these tests by April 2016: SAT, ACT or Accuplacer Whatever test you choose, PREPARE well before test day! Meet with your counselor to determine the best test that will fit your future plans

See Mrs. Moore for SAT or ACT Fee Waivers for SAT/ACT/ACCUPLACER See Mrs. Moore for SAT or ACT Fee Waivers for low income families. ACT English (1-36) *usage (1-18) *rhetorical (1-18) Reading (1-36) Mathematics (1-36) Science (1-36) Measures Science Reasoning Math up to trigonometry Scores based on correct answers No penalty for wrong answers Writing section (optional) SAT (redesigned March 2016) Critical Reading (200 – 800) Mathematics (200 – 800) SAT Total (400 –1600) Aligned to Common Core Math section includes student response/grid-in questions; including precalculus No Penalty for wrong answers Writing section (optional) SAT Subject Tests - May be required for selective university admissions - Take at the end of course (June or October) - Can take up to 3 tests in one sitting (1 hour each) ACCUPLACER – Community College Measures readiness for college level math, reading and writing

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 7 Deadline: April 8 Late Deadline: April 26 Test date: June 4 Deadline: May 5 Late Deadline: May 25 Cost: $54.50 Late Fee: +$28.00 Wait-list Fee: +$46.00 ACT Test Test date: April 9 Deadline: March 4 Late Deadline: March 18 Test date: June 11 Deadline: May 6 Late Deadline: May 20 Cost: $56.50 Late Fee: +$25.00 Wait-list Fee: +$49.00 Sign up: www.collegeboard.org Sign up: www.actstudent.org

Other options can be found in the Career Center. WAYS to PREPARE FREE WEBSITES: www. satpractice.org (Khan Academy) http://www.number2.com https://www.march2success.com/index.cfm http://www.collegeboard.com/ practice http://www.act.org/testprep http://www.actexampracticetests.com TAKE MOCK TESTS: New SAT/ACT Combo – January 9, Sat, 9-1 @ Blake (to prepare for Jan 23 SAT or Feb 6 ACT) Mock ACT – February 20 Sat, 9-1 @ Blake (to prepare for April 9 ACT) TAKE A PREP COURSE: Catalyst Prep Weekend Boot Camps: – April 30-May 1 – 9-1 @ Blake (to prepare for May 7 SAT) -- May 21-22– 9-1 @ Blake (to prepare for June 11 ACT) Other options can be found in the Career Center.

Why start now? College visits: Use winter break, spring break and summer to go on college campus visits Absences: Juniors and seniors are allowed up to 5 excused days for college visits with ADVANCED notice to Ms. Sheftell (Attendance Office) Application Deadlines begin as early as Oct 15, with most due Nov 1st senior year Prepare your list of schools and begin applying to colleges no later than 15 school days prior to deadline date. (most college apps online by Aug 1)

Log in to Naviance- Family Connection here 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

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

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 PRINT: “Life after High School” Packet (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, Priority, Early Notification Regular Admission Rolling 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 Resume – optional, include GPA, SSL, leadership, extracurricular activities, work experience

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?

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.

Research your Schools Resource Books & Catalogs Computer Searches Call or Email Admissions Offices College Fairs College Reps in the Career Center College Campus Visits 5 excused days from school with preapproval from Ms. Bowser in Attendance office College Fair

No matter what road you take… Contact your counselor to schedule a “Senior Commitment Appointment” before final exams this year Career Center will be open over the summer. Summer Workshops are encouraged.

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 Mrs. Kiedrow A – Dh Mrs. Hayes Di – Jam Mrs. Baer Jan-Ni Ms. Costenbader Nj - S Mr. Chan T-Z Mr. Tolbert Gr 9 Ms. Smith Gr 9 Mrs. Moore College and Career Coordinator Mrs. Marks School Registrar

Reminders: Follow us on Twitter @BlakeCounselors Daily tips, reminders and information from the Blake Counseling Department and College/Career Center. This PowerPoint presentation will be posted on the Blake Career Center Webpage!