Senior Parent Powerpoint Class of 2015

Important Phone Numbers and Email Address • Mrs. Heather Hatman, A‐K Counselor • hhatman@mhbombers.com • Mrs. Leisa Simons, A-K Registrar • lsimons@mhbombers.com • Mrs. Stephanie Caraway, L-Z Counselor • scaraway@mhbombers.com • Mrs. Keri Mahan, L-Z Registrar • kmahan@mhbombers.com • Mrs. Rose Liggett, Counselor’s Secretary, 870-425-1224 • rliggett@mhbombers.com

Senior Meetings September 27th and 28th High School Counselors met with small groups of seniors through English, Capstone, or VARK courses. Yellow folders – Information on how to pay for college, federal student aid, and a flier on ASUMH technical programs. 2019 Graduate packet ACT/SAT Dates and Deadlines – Fee waivers. Recommendation letters – resume forms. Forms in the main office and counseling office – College visits, transcript requests, recommendation letter request. Reminders for senior year – get involved, academics important, community service, etc. Counselors show seniors where to find important dates on counseling page. Counselors showed seniors how to find scholarship page. Seniors took a senior survey – This will give counselors information to know who needs help in what areas, what the senior plans after graduation, etc.

Post Secondary Options Can Include: Traditional 4 year schools 2 year colleges for associates degree or to transfer to 4 year. Technical Colleges Professional Training Programs Military Work Which is appropriate for your student?

Application Process Student Role in College • Deciding on Final List of colleges • Setting up online accounts for applications • Completing applications

Terms for Prediction REACH: “Dream” school where admission is highly selective and admit rates are low. High GPA & standardized test scores do not necessarily guarantee admission. TARGET: Student is within the range of possibility, but depending on the applicant pool, they may/may not be admitted.

Terms for Prediction HIGHLY LIKELY: • Chances for admissions are very strong FINANCIAL/PROXIMITY SCHOOL: • A place that students/parents can afford. • A place where a student can get home in a day’s drive.

Where to Apply? Final List should include a combination of: • “reach” schools • “target” schools • “highly likely” schools • “financial & proximity” school(s) ALL OF WHICH YOU WILL BE HAPPY TO ATTEND

8 weeks (non‐binding) Admissions Options • Regular Decision – Apply by a specific date and receive decision in spring (non‐binding) • Rolling Admissions ‐ Review applications when submitted and receive a decision in usually 2‐ 8 weeks (non‐binding) • Priority Deadline ‐ Apply by a specific date and receive decision in 4‐8 weeks. Gives student an advantage when space is limited (non‐ binding)

Admissions Options • Early Action ‐ apply early and receive decision well in advance of regular decision (non‐binding) • Early Decision ‐ apply with a commitment to school, if admitted, must attend. (binding) • Restrictive Early Action ‐ apply to school of preference and receive a decision early. Not allowed to apply ED, Restrictive EA or EA to other institutions. Have until May 1 to confirm (non‐ binding)

Complete Application Application also require: Applications‐almost ALL on‐line State college applications: Educational information Activities and honors Signatures Application fee Private colleges and schools using the Common Application also require: Essays Supplements

• Common Application Essays are up and online • Utilize English teachers – they are a great resource • Utilize on-line essay help or have your essay reviewed by peers and other teachers.

Complete College Applications •Parent Signature (only for Early Decision) •Official Transcript (requested by student on form in the counseling office.) •Official Test Score Report (requested by student from testing company) •Letter of Recommendation (teacher) Secondary School Report/Letter (counselor

scores sent soon. It can take 2 weeks for scores to Test Scores • Students responsibility to send scores through ACT or College Board • Students are encouraged to request to have scores sent soon. It can take 2 weeks for scores to be received. Do not pay to “rush” scores. • If taking an ACT in December, consider sending one score now if current score falls within the college’s published range. In some cases applications will not be reviewed until a score is received.

• Processing the School Report Counselor’s Responsibilities in the Application Process • Recommend schools • Help finalize list • Understand applications requirements/deadlines • Processing the School Report –Submitting recommendations –Submitting transcript/records

Recommendation ‐ required if a letter is needed Counselor/Teacher Recommendation • Resume for recommendation letter for Teacher/Counselor Recommendation ‐ required if a letter is needed • Recommendations sent directly by recommender (addressed/stamped envelopes)

Teacher Recommendations How many? Who? • Teacher(s) who know the student best as a learner in their class ‐ 2 max • Junior year teacher(s) • Core courses (English/Math/Science/Social Studies/ World Language) • Visual and Performing Arts ‐ supplemental recommendations

Timeline Fall (September through December) • Continue to visit schools • Finalize college list • Complete standardized testing • Meet with your Counselor/teachers • Study/stay on top of school work • Complete applications

Timeline • Act on Early Decision Winter (December through February) • Act on Early Decision • Submit financial aid forms (more info to come) • Send mid‐year grades Spring (February through May) • Wait for admission decisions • Keep options open • Compare financial packages • Make final decision (May 1) CELEBRATE

College Rep Visits • Dates and times of college visits are listed in announcements. • Students go during lunch to visit reps. • College reps set up in hallway outside counselors office on the way to cafeteria.

Colleges What Matters Most to TOP ADMISSIONS FACTORS CONSIDERED BY COLLEGES: • Strength of high school curriculum • Overall grade point average • Standardized test scores OTHER FACTORS • Extra‐curricular commitment • Essay • Letters of recommendation • Demonstrated interest

Senioritis • Senior year courses and grades matter! • Many schools defer decisions until the end of first semester… 1st semester grades matter! • All offers of admissions are conditional upon successful completion of coursework • Students MUST notify colleges of changes to their senior year courses • Offers of admissions can and have been revoked for a decline in performance

Parent’s Responsibilities in the Application Process • Provide Support • Provide Guidance • Provide Assistance • Balance is the Key

Financial Aid Information • All schools require the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) which is available on‐line in December. File the FAFSA at www.fafsa.gov • Families can complete an estimator now to determine eligibility for federal aid at www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov

In addition to the FAFSA many private colleges require This image cannot currently be display ed. This image cannot currently be display ed. Financial Aid Information In addition to the FAFSA many private colleges require the CSS Profile www.collegeboard.org NET PRICE CALCULATOR- ALL colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website - keep in mind this is an estimate Scholarship Night: Spring semester – watch announcements.

Types of Aid Grants Scholarships Loans Direct Stafford Subsidized – based on financial need, no accrued interest. Direct Stafford Unsubsidized-not based on fin. need, accrues interest. Direct Plus (Parent)-accrues interest, higher interest rate. Direct Plus (Graduate/Professional) Work-Study – based on financial need

Application Fee Waivers • Students on free and reduced lunch program are eligible for fee waivers • Families for whom the application fees are a hardship may also be eligible for fee waivers • Forms are available from your counselor • Students should talk with counselors to discuss eligibility

Help for Parents Tasseltime website: Mountain Home Public schools is researching the possibility of subscribing to the Tasseltime website to help students and parents with post-secondary decisions. We need parent input on your opinion if it would be helpful. It would be available to parents, students, teachers, counselors, etc. in grades K-12 for full year. We would then see how helpful it has been before purchasing again for the following year. Scholarships are available to students at member schools just for using the website.

Questions?