Angela Penaflor Kate Willems Karen Wrench

Agenda Tonight we will discuss…  …how to narrow down the college search  …the application process  …different admission decisions  …types of schools  …FAFSA  …scholarships  …upcoming events

What’s Currently Happening with Seniors?  Individual meetings throughout the day  Senior Planning Day Oct. 9  Regular reminders regarding campus reps, scholarships, college fairs, etc.  College Advisor available Tuesdays and Thursdays

Narrowing Down the Search  Types of schools  Technical  4-year  Career college  Size of schools  Distance from home  Admissions Standards

Narrowing Down the Search  Visiting the college is the best way to determine the school and campus that best meets the student’s needs  Call the Admissions Office to schedule a personal tour  UW- System virtual tours UW- System virtual tours  Visit the school’s website  College search websites  

Narrowing Down the Search  Talk to Admissions reps that visit STM, alumni, parents, advisors, teachers, etc.  Upcoming visits: October 1: Viterbo University at 12:00pm October 2: St. Mary University Winona at 8:45am October 14: UW-Parkside at 8:44am October 17: UW-Madison at 9:40am October 28: UW- Green Bay at 10:30 New visits are added everyday.

Narrowing Down the Search College Fair at UWM, Sept. 30 th, parental permission required Wisconsin Education Fairs (WEF) Franklin High School: October 6 st 6:30-8:30 p.m. Mount Mary University: October 19 th 9-11 am Visit for other dates, locations and directions.

Application Process Step 1: Before starting the applications  Finalize resume/activities list and personal essay (make sure they are proofread)  Register to take or re-take the ACT (  Ask for at least 2 letters of recommendation  Make sure to give that person a copy of “brag” sheet  Give the recommender at least 2 weeks notice  Ask teachers, coaches, employers, etc.

Application Process Step 2:  Apply online!  UW System: apply.wisconsin.eduapply.wisconsin.edu  Other:  Individual school application

Application Process Step 3:  Register with  Secure, official, electronic transcripts available 24/7  Advisor approves transcripts and attaches letters of recommendation, school profile, SSR (if applicable)  $3.50 per transcript  pay online through Parchment  Fee waivers available (4 free transcripts)

Application Process Step 4:  Send official ACT scores if it hasn’t been done already  Four free scores sent  Additional scores $12.00.

Complete Application 1. Application filled out in its’ entirety (with fee, if necessary). Personal essay and resume/activities list are included in application 2. Official transcript sent from Parchment.com 3. Official ACT/SAT scores 4. 2 letters of recommendation, possibly 3 for selective schools/scholarships  It is recommended to apply to schools by December 1 st.

Admission Decisions  Rolling admissions  Applications are reviewed as soon as they are received  Pooled admissions  Apply until deadline and then decision is made  Admittance based off first 6 semesters, but sometimes need 7 th semester grades

Admission Decisions  Some of the criteria considered during admission process:  Academic record: depth, breadth, diversity, rigor  Grades  Class rank  Standardized test scores  Extracurricular  Essays  Letters of recommendation

UW-System  Started processing applications on September 15, 2014  Fee is $44 for each application  Shoot for priority deadlines  Be aware of separate scholarship applications  For admission criteria or other questions visit

UW-System  Guarantee Transfer Program:  Complete the first 54 credits at UW-Waukesha, maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher, and you’re guaranteed admission to any UW-System school for your final 2 years  Exception is UW-Madison where a 2.8 GPA is required  Let UW-Waukesha know which school within your first 30 credits

WAICU   Don’t think “sticker” price, think net  The net tuition at Wisconsin private colleges is 11% lower than it was in  Out-of-pocket net tuition at Wisconsin’s private, nonprofit colleges and universities is under $5,500  Average freshman financial aid package is made up of 75% grants—money you won’t have to repay—instead of loans  Timely degree completion ( statistics)

Technical Schools Go to to see how technical school courses transfer into the UW-Systemhttp://tis.uwsa.edu MATC starts accepting applications for fall 2015 after October 1 st. Visit the Wisconsin Technical Schools websiteWisconsin Technical Schools website

FAFSA  Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)  The completed FAFSA form may not be signed or mailed prior to January 8, 2015 – try to do taxes early  There will be a College Financial Aid meeting tentatively scheduled for January 8, 2015  College Goal Wisconsin  Complete the FAFSA form in about an hour with help from the experts – IT’S FREE !  Visit for dates and locations. Saturdays in February

Scholarships  Individual college scholarships  Some have a separate application, some use the application for admission  Check out the table in Student Services  Helpful websites include:    Think locally! (groups, clubs, businesses, organizations)  Open to Milwaukee/Wisconsin residents only  Less competitive

The ACT  Testing dates still available  December 13 th (register by Nov 7th )  Make sure to send official ACT scores to the colleges

Events at STM  College Financial Aid Night  January 8 rd at 6:00 in Community Room  Senior Planning Day on Oct. 9 th from 8-11:30 a.m.  Seniors will choose 3 sessions from the following:  Resume writing  College apps  ASVAB (Career Exploration Program)  Scholarships  Choosing Majors

Questions? Angela Penaflor Kate Willems Karen Wrench