College Planning for Juniors This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

1. Academic Record 2. Standardized Testing 3. Extra Curricular Activities/Community

1. GPA 2. Class rank percentile (top 10 of 600 students) 3. Course rigor (number of IB, AP, Honors classes)

* Admissions counselors take into consideration a holistic view of the total student package but give primary emphasis to his/her academic record noted on the high school transcript and student’s standardized test scores. *Curriculum • The scope, sequence and rigor of each course taken • The relevance of the courses to the applicant’s intended undergraduate major.

*Group affiliations (outside of school) It is not the number of activities but the depth and breath of the activities, leadership within the activity, and hours of commitment to each of the activities. *Group affiliations (outside of school) * Sports (school or club sport and leadership) * School clubs (leadership roles in club) * Musical and Artistic Involvement *Community Service (not in hours but in project)

• Academic performance • Grading patterns • Recommendations • Self-Presentation 1) personal essay 2) personal attributes 3) admissions interview • Activities 1) in school 2) in the community 3) summer experiences 4) leadership experiences 5) special talents 6) Volunteer experiences

PSAT, ACT, SAT, and Subject Tests These tests ARE needed to gain access to any College or University. Although some colleges are test optional, everyone should take these tests. Recommended to be taken by spring of junior year in February, March, April, June, July Subject Tests should be taken in May for those subjects the student is preparing in AP classes-highly recommended for private and elite/ivy league universities.

There are several types of institutions to consider which include: • Public • Private • Ivy League/Elite

A public college/university is aninstitution that is predominantly funded by public means through the Federal or State government. 1. Federal • Naval Academy 2. State • UF, FSU, USF, FIU ect.

Private colleges/universities are institutions not operated by governments, although many receive tax breaks, public student loans, and grants. • These include University of Miami, Barry University, Columbia University, NYU, Princeton, St. Thomas Aquinas, Syracuse, ect.

The Ivy League is an athletic conference composed of sports teams from eight private institutions of higher education in the north east. The conference name is also commonly used to refer to those eight schools as a group. Brown Columbia Cornell Dartmouth Harvard Princeton University of Pennsylvania Yale

Elite Schools Public Elites – just a few are listed Private elite schools just a few are listed College of William and Mary State University of NY at Binghamton University of California, Berkeley University of California, Los Angeles University of Florida University of Michigan University of North Carolina University of Virginia University of Washington University of Wisconsin, Madison Massachusetts Institute of Technology Juilliard United States Military Academy Stanford Notre Dame Duke Vanderbilt Davidson College Washington University in Missouri Bowdoin College Wesleyan University

Academic Courses Recommended For Florida State Universities and Most Universities Completion of 24+ academic units in a college preparatory curriculum 4 years of English 4 years of mathematics (Algebra I, II, Geometry, Trig., Calculus) 3 years of natural sciences (including lab) 3 years of social studies 2 to 4 years of the same foreign language (American Sign Language may not be accepted by some out of state schools and private institutions) THEY DO PREFER 4 YEARS. 4 years of academic electives (especially in the areas of math, natural sciences and/or social studies) GPA OF 3.5 UNWEIGHTED OR ABOVE NEEDED IF APPLYING TO ELITE UNIVERSITIES

YOU CAN START APPLYING NOW!!!!!!! Scholarships *You must SEARCH and APPLY for them *Look into local scholarships *Look for institutional scholarships from the college/ university in senior year Look on the website for the Scholarship Bulletin published at least once a month from the CAP Office ON THE SCHOOL WEBSITE and Edmodo YOU CAN START APPLYING NOW!!!!!!!

IF IT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE… IT’S TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE Watch Out! College Scams Want Your Money SERVICES YOU PAY FOR: ASK WHAT YOU ARE GETTING FOR YOUR MONEY AND MAKE SURE YOU ARE GETTING YOUR MONEY’S WORTH. BE CAREFUL WITH EMAILS ABOUT SCHOLARSHIPS, HELPING WITH THE COLLEGE PROCESS. IF NO APPLICATION WAS COMPLETED, YOU DID NOT WIN ANYTHING! SERVICES FOR FINANCIAL AID ARE FREE. DON’T PAY FOR WHAT YOU CAN DO YOURSELF. IF IT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE… IT’S TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE

Financial Aid Grants Money you don’t pay back. IT CAN BE STATE OR FEDERAL Loans Borrowed funds. Money must be repaid with interest. ONLY FEDERAL LOANS HAVE INTERESTS THAT DO NOT GO BEYOND A CERTAIN LEVEL. Work study Paid work at The college/university. PROGRAM MAY BE THROUGH STATE OR FEDERAL INSENTIVES.

FAFSA Florida Financial Aid including Bright Futures (FFAA) Free Application for Federal Student Aid Free Application for Federal Student Aid Available after OCTOBER 1 of senior year Family Income Tax information needed to complete form. Application available online at: fafsa.ed.gov YOU CAN FORCAST THE FAFSA BY GOING TO fafsa.ed.gov Florida Financial Aid including Bright Futures (FFAA) The electronic form must be submitted over the internet at FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org after OCTOBER. 1st of senior year Deadlines vary. Some colleges/programs set earlier deadlines THE FLORIDA FFAA application IS used for up to 13 different programs including Bright Futures.

Things to Remember 1 Keep your grades up (final grades from 9-11 grades are sent to the universities) 2 Research all the universities you want to attend. (apply to no more than 10-recommendation from all experts) 3 Keep a calendar with deadlines 4 Sign up to take 2-SAT/2-ACT and other required tests prior to applying to college. 5 Apply for as many scholarships as possible NOW 6 Apply for Financial Aid state bright futures after October 1st . Of senior year 7 In the summer prior to senior year make sure you begin the process so that you are ready to apply senior year. 8 Keep photocopies READ, READ, READ!!!!!