EAGLECREST HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR COLLEGE NIGHT FOR PARENTS COUNSELING DEPARTMENT EAGLECREST HIGH SCHOOL

TONIGHT’S AGENDA SENIOR TIMELINE COLLEGE SEARCH / SELECTION UNDERSTANDING COLLEGE ADMISSIONS ADDITIONAL TESTING- ACT / SAT (SUBJECT TESTS) APPLICATION PROCESS FINANCIAL AID / SCHOLARSHIPS

SENIOR TIMELINE FALL SEMESTER: FINISH THE COLLEGE SEARCH/ VISITS RETAKE YOUR COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMS SUBMIT YOU COLLEGE APPLICATION BY THANKSGIVING SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS FROM COLLEGES

SENIOR TIMELINE SPRING SEMESTER: FAFSA FINANCIAL AID FORM IN JANUARY SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION- ADDITIONAL REVIEW FINANCIAL PACKAGES AND AWARD LETTERS MAKE COLLEGE CHOICE BY THE END OF APRIL

COLLEGE SEARCH AND SELECTION

LOCAL COLLEGE FAIRS - IN STATE COLLEGES – OCTOBER 9 TH CHEROKEE TRAIL HIGH SCHOOL 6-7:30 P.M. -OUT OF STATE COLLEGES/WORKSHOPS OCTOBER 11TH MOUNTAIN VISTA H.S. 10:00 A.M.-12:30 P.M -NACAC COLLEGE FAIR- OCTOBER 18 TH COLORADO CONVENTION CENTER 1-4P.M. -VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS FAIR- OCTOBER 22 ND CHERRY CREEK H.S. 6:00-8:00 P.M.

MEETING WITH COLLEGES AT EHS Log into Naviance Click on the ‘Colleges Tab’

EHS COLLEGE VISIT SCHEDULE Sign up to meet with Colleges of interest

COLLEGE SEARCH AND WEB TOOLS

NAVIANCE COLLEGE SEARCH

COLLEGEDATA.COM

COLLEGE NAVIGATOR

COLLEGE CAMPUS VISITS  College Preview Days  College Visits with a Campus Guide

WHAT DO YOU DO ON A VISIT?  Campus tour  Special Preview days - sit in a class  Talk with students, professors, admissions representatives (do not discuss family finances at this point!)  What does the campus feel like?  Pros and Cons list

FINDING THE RIGHT FIT!  Major  Size  Location  Chances of being accepted  Cost of Attendance…  Personality of the school

UNDERSTANDING COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

Application Options Regular decision: Deadlines for submitting applications and supporting credentials for fall semester admission typically fall between December and March. Most institutions that follow this traditional schedule mail/ admissions decisions in late March or early April and ask students to notify them of their enrollment decisions by May 1. Rolling admissions: Some colleges offer a rolling admissions process, in which applications are reviewed and evaluated as they are received. These institutions notify students of their admissions status as decisions are made.

UNDERSTANDING COLLEGE ADMISSIONS Early action: Some colleges have a fall application deadline for students who wish to receive notification of their admissions status in December or January. Colleges may admit or deny these applicants, or they may opt to reconsider them under the regular decision process. Receiving an early offer of admission can be a relief for students, and students who are denied admission usually still have time to apply to other colleges. Some institutions ask that applicants apply for early action at only one college, while others do not have this restriction. Early decision: This process differs from early action in that students agree to attend the institution if offered admission. In addition, they must withdraw their applications from all other institutions if admitted. As students may apply to only one institution using this option, it is appropriate only for students who are certain about their first-choice college. In some cases, applying for early decision can have ramifications for financial aid.

THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS

Step One: Complete your college application online and print off any forms that need to be sign by your high school.

THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS

Step Two: Log into Naviance and add your college to the ‘Colleges I’ve Applied To’ tab.

Log into Naviance

Naviance

Add Colleges

Colleges I’m Applying To You will need to update this section once you hear the college’s decision. Click on the pencil to edit and mark your acceptance, wait list decision, etc. At the end of the year you will mark which college you decided to attend.

THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS Step Three: Complete our Transcript Request Form (found in the College & Career Center) for each college you have applied to.

TRANSCRIPT REQUESTS

THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS Step Four: Monitor your college application account (linked to your application) to determine if the college you have applied to needs any more information (or if they want you to fill out additional information for a scholarship!).

COLLEGE APPLICATION RECAP Step One: Complete college application online. Print off any forms that need to be signed by your high school. Step Two: Log on to Naviance and add the college to ‘Colleges I’ve Applied To’ tab. Step Three: Complete Transcript Request Form (found in College & Career Center) for each college you have applied to. Step Four: Monitor your college application account (linked to your application) to determine if the college you have applied to needs any more information.

COMMON APPLICATION…

THE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS OFFICE WHAT’S IMPORTANT TO COLLEGE ADMISSIONS OFFICERS…

THE DESIRABLE DOZEN OF ADMISSIONS Grades (in core classes) Rigor of course work Test Scores (ACT/SAT) Grades (all classes- overall GPA) Student Essay (If Required) Student Interests (how do you spend your time) Class Rank Counselor Letter of Recommendation (If Needed) Teacher Letter of Recommendation (If Needed) AP Test Scores Student Interview (If Required) Extracurricular Involvement (show depth/not volume)

THE COLLEGE APPLICATION College admissions officers typically review applications. Application reviews (not including the essay) usually take 12 minutes. Some college applications have 2-3 student essays. College admissions officers are usually recent graduates, under the age of 27, and grad-school students, who have a good understanding of what type of students ‘fit’ on campus. Do research on the history, culture, accomplishments, and points of pride for each school you are applying to.

THE COLLEGE ESSAY You have 4-5 sentences to make an impression! Show, don’t tell! An essay should expose who you are, not just what you have done. Avoid generic college essays (if you can). Who is your audience? Liberal, moderate, or conservative campus? What is the school’s identity? What do they believe? Flow? Please have someone read it out loud to you. If you essay is choppy, it will end up in the ‘maybe’ pile (at best).

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATIONS Make sure you know which colleges require a letter. Don’t ask for more letters than you need. Complete the Teacher Recommendation Form in Naviance and print it off for your teacher! Check back with your teacher to make sure he/she uploaded it into Naviance (you won’t be able to request transcripts until this is done). Remember to give your teacher 3 weeks notice and say thank you!

LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION FORM

COLLEGE ADMISSIONS- TESTING Preparing for the ACT or SAT

REASONS TO RETAKE THE ACT  To improve your score for admissions  To improve your score for scholarships  To qualify for NCAA athletic eligibility

ACT AND SAT TESTING ACT – September 13th (register by Aug 8 th ) - October 25 th (register by Sept 19 th ) - December 13 th (register by Nov 7 th ) SAT - October 11 th (register by Sept 12 th ) - November 8 th (register by Oct 9 th ) - December 6 th (register by Nov 6 th ) ACT costs $38.00 and the SAT costs $52.50 Some out of state schools and private schools may also require SAT subject tests (also called SAT II tests).

ACT TEST PREP SYCAMORELEARNING.COM

ACT / SAT TEST PREP METHOD TEST PREP

Financial Aid and Scholarships

FINANCIAL AID FAFSA= Free Application for Federal Student Aid *** Never pay to submit your FAFSA Everyone should apply for financial aid by filling out the FAFSA in January of senior year. Even if you think you may not qualify it is required for work study jobs Financial Aid EHS on Dec. 5th

FAFSA.ED.GOV

WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW FAFSA pin numbers FAFSA4caster College Opportunity Fund Net Cost Calculators on college sites

FAFSA PIN NUMBERS

COLLEGE OPPORTUNITY FUND

COLLEGEINCOLORADO.ORG

NET PRICE CALCULATORS

CSS PROFILE (IF REQUESTED)

SCHOLARSHIPS: WHERE TO START?  Most award packages are provided directly from the college or university - especially private schools.  Students exhibiting financial need will often receive additional grant money from the United States government typically in the form of a Pell Grant.  Scholarships website are a great way to search for private based scholarships, but beware aware- you should never pay to apply for a scholarship.  Scholarships requirements typically include one of the following categories: financial need, merit recognition, or special talent or diversity.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Financial Aid Night Wednesday, December 3 rd

Senior College Readiness Day Tuesday, September 23 rd.

Thank you for coming!