College Transition

Agenda   Where do I start?   How do I decide what to do after high school?   How do I decide on a college?   What should I be doing now?   When and how do I apply to college?   How do I get into college?   How do I pay for college?

Six Michigan Career Pathways   Arts & Communication   Business Management/Marketing   Engineering/Manufacturing Industrial Technology   Health Science   Human Service   Natural Resources & Agriscience

Educational Development Plan (EDP) Assists students in creating a four-year plan. Assists students in creating a post- secondary plan.   Program research   College research (login id – swartzcreek password - dragons)

Summer of Junior Year   Research Universities/Colleges   Campus Visits (School Related Absence)   Plan and Prepare for ACT Retake Students retaking the ACT = 55% increased Composite Score   Design list of references   Utilize Career Cruising

ACT Test Dates 2010/2011 Test Date September 11, 2010 October 23, 2010 December 11, 2010 February 12, 2011 April 9, 2011 June 11, 2011 Registration Deadline August 6, 2010 September 17, 2010 November 5, 2010 January 7, 2010 March 4, 2011 May 6, 2011

Recommended College Prep Courses  EnglishFour years of English  MathematicsThree years of mathematics, including rigorous courses in Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II  Natural SciencesThree years of science, including rigorous courses in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics  Social StudiesThree years of social studies  Additional CoursesSome colleges and universities require other classes as prerequisites for admission, such as two or more years of the same foreign language or courses in the visual arts, music, theater, drama, dance, computer science, etc.*Specific high school course requirements vary from institution to institution. Be sure to check with the schools you're interested in to see what they recommend or require.

Senior Year  Get organized – start a folder save EVERYTHING  College Visits  Counselor meeting  Letters of Recommendation  College Applications  Scholarships  Financial Aid

Student/Counselor Meeting   Be ready for your counselor meeting – Bring the following items:   Completed college applications (check or money order)   Counselor verification form (if applied online)   Letters of recommendation (to be mailed with other items)   All questions ?????

Choosing a College Right Course Right Course of Study Right Price Right Price RightAtmosphere

15 Michigan Public Universities   Central Michigan   Eastern Michigan   Ferris State   Grand Valley State   Lake Superior State   Michigan State   Michigan Tech   Northern Michigan  Oakland University  Saginaw Valley State  University of Michigan Ann Arbor  University of Michigan Dearborn  University of Michigan Flint  Western Michigan  Wayne State

What do I need to get accepted into a college?

The GPA Myth " It doesn't matter which classes I take in high school, as long as my grade point average is high."

College Admission Criteria   Academic Performance ( Cumulative/Core)   Class Rank   Strength of Curriculum   Recent trends in academic performance   ACT Score   Recommendations   Leadership, talents, conduct, and diversity of experience   Personal Essays   Interviews

Application Process MAIL   Complete application   Attach check/money order, letters of recommendation, essay, etc.   Turn in to high school counselor   Counselor completes his/her portion, attaches transcript and mails to college/university ONLINE  Complete application via website (credit card)  Print counselor page and hand in to high school guidance counselor  Counselor completes his/her portion, attaches transcript and mails to college/university

Averages for Admission UNIVERSITY GPA ACT Michigan State Central Michigan3.322 Saginaw Valley3.221 U of M Flint3.217 U of M Ann Arbor Eastern Michigan3.121

FINANCIAL AID FAFSA Free Application for Federal Student Aid online access

Financial Aid Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)   Need-based money provided for post- secondary education   Grants (do not have to repay)   Student Loans (must repay)   (MUST fill out the FAFSA to qualify for low interest student loans)   Reapply every year

FAFSA Application Process

Filling out the FAFSA Online Application   Parents and student apply for pin number – electronic signature (website -   FAFSA ON THE WEB WORKSHEET - optional   Complete online application between January 1 st – June 30 th

State of Michigan Scholarships and Grants   Children of Veterans Tuition Grant   GEAR UP Michigan Scholarship   Michigan Competitive Scholarship   Michigan Merit Award   Michigan Tuition Grant   Tuition Incentive Program   Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship

SCHOLARSHIPS   Apply early!   See high school website (   Local (Guidance Office)   Academic (high GPA and ACT)   Athletic   Private, Groups, Organizations

Scholarship Website Searches              

Swartz Creek High School Guidance Counselors Cheryl Reger A-G(810) Daniel Nolen H-N(810) Dave Carey O-Z(810)