Class of 2017 Students/Parents… are you ready? College Application Process for Seniors

Hand Outs Senior Seminar 2017-2018 Time Line Choosing the Best College Middle-Skills Jobs SAT – ACT dates / whish is right for you Listing your High School activities Getting Letters of Recommendation Financial Aid College Essay Your College Search, SUNY view book available

You may be feeling…. You’re not alone! Excited Confused Anxious, Overwhelmed Stressed You’re not alone!

What can help... Start early Stay organized Take charge of the process Call Admissions Reps. when you have questions Look for the “right match” for you www.collegeboard.com www.collegeview.com

SENIOR MEETING Starting Soon! This is an individual meeting designed to check your credits, diploma type etc. and to allow Seniors to tell me how I can help them and provide them with individual guidance. These meetings start as early in the year as possible in September or the first week in October.

Transcripts Review for corrections Check all items – GPA, course credits, exam scores Correct it and return to your counselor Take note of regents scores SAT/ACT scores should all be listed Activities and clubs are no longer listed on the transcript

3 EASY steps to apply to college / tech school KNOW where you want to apply APPLY TELL me you Applied

What is your Academic Profile? GPA+SAT/ACT +other = Academic profile Step1. Know where to APPLY find schools that have the program of study you are interested in. You are recommended to apply to 3 to 6 schools (PLEASE APPLY TO AT LEAST 3) Likely Schools – (Probable Admission)Your academic profile is above the average requirements. Good Match – (Competitive) Your academic profile matches the average requirements. Reach Schools – (Highly Competitive) Your academic profile is below their average requirements What is your Academic Profile? GPA+SAT/ACT +other = Academic profile

Sample - Average GPA of students entering SUNY colleges GCC -- Morrisville 77-86 Alfred State 80-88 Buffalo State 83-89 Fredonia 86-93 UB 89-95

Step 2 – APPLY!! www.commonapp.org Common Application www.commonapp.org Over 300 schools accept this application Located online Note the counselor section on line- you have to add my e-mail Syd Houseknecht SHouseknecht@keshequa.org

You have to add my e-mail… SHouseknecht@keshequa.org APPLY (Cont.) SUNY Application You can apply online at www.suny.edu/student Use this for all SUNY schools you apply to, this includes Community Colleges GCC application is free You have to add my e-mail… SHouseknecht@keshequa.org

Admissions types: Regular Decision- specific deadline to complete, SCHOOL sends decisions after certain deadline Rolling Admissions- review as they ARE received and send decisions when made.

Early Action Early Decision You will receive a decision well in advance of regular decision You are not committed Deadline - depends on the college “A well-researched first choice” If admitted, you are committed! Use this option if you are 100% sure you want to go there Deadlines usually in early November; depends on the college Wait list- does not offer or deny admissions- students should be given an indication of when they will be notified either way.

Tours & Interviews Set them up ASAP! (call admissions) Ask if there is anything you might do to enhance your application Before you leave an interview - find out how you stand as a potential applicant Check your Senior Calendar!

SAT/ACT’s TAKE THEM!! Pay attention to deadlines – See senior calendar SAT - taken Spring of Junior year and Fall of Senior year. ACT – Tests your knowledge on Math/ Reading/ Science/ Social studies Prep courses See Mr. Houseknecht if you think you may qualify for a fee waiver Not required for most 2 year schools unless you are entering a 4 year program SAT/ACT’s TAKE THEM!!

Letters of Recommendation Minimum of 3 letters: Counselor 2 teachers - those who know you the best - ask them ASAP; let them know your deadlines. Don’t forget to give teachers any additional information about yourself - including a….. RESUME!

STEP 3 – TELL ME YOU APPLIED! Use e mail if you would like - SHouseknecht@keshequa.org Ask the Counseling department for a TRANSCRIPT REQUEST FORM and drop it off in the high school counseling center

Deadline for College Applications DECEMBER 1st

Financial Aid Documents FAFSA All students must file a FAFSA The first filing date is in October – Financial Aid meeting is will be in October in the evening. Get online now to get your PIN, both you and your parents need to have one to file electronically go to: www.pin.ed.gov FAFSA4caster Https://fafsa.ed.gov Financial Aid Documents

Financial Aid meeting We will have a financial aid meeting in October, time and date tbd You will be notified

Scholarship Information A database of all the scholarship information we receive as well as several links to scholarship searches is on the guidance website Good sites – Fastweb.com Studentaid.edu.gov

Scholarships (cont.) This will take a lot of work on your part – many scholarships are never awarded – because no one applies for them! I can help you, but I can’t do it for you.

Excelsior scholarship Last dollar – only applies to tuition, not room and board Resident of NYS Enroll in suny 2 or 4 year program Take 30 credits per calendar year – college credits you earn in high school are applied to your first year credit amount Plan to live in new York the amount of time you participate in the excelsior program There are income restrictions If you do not adhere to any of these requirements it becomes a loan

Rylie McEvoy, Liam Costello, Serena Blackburn Student presenters Rylie McEvoy, Liam Costello, Serena Blackburn

*Success in the new economy 9:36 4 Skills & 4 Steps to a Successful Career 7:20 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zs6nQpVI164 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twWcxIfa2zo

QUESTIONS? Contact info: Mr. Houseknecht MS/HS Counselor SHouseknecht@keshequa.org 468-2900 ext. 2010