Junior Parent Night! CLASS OF 2014 Can you believe this time has come? Don’t worry, we’ll get through this!

MEETING OBJECTIVES Introductions Summer College Preparation The College Application Process a) Macrao.org b) On-Line v. Paper c) Finding requested application information d) What to do at school e) Timeline Senior Year Events Scholarships, Grants and Loans

Summer 2013 PLAN COLLEGE VISITS a) Contact Admissions Office of each college to schedule a guided tour of campus. b) Evaluate Majors/Programs of Study, Campus Culture, Size of Student Population, Cost to Attend including /Books/Dorm/Miscellaneous, Visit Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships c) Bring a copy of your transcript – they may look it over and accept you on the spot d) Good Morning America Video

Getting in… What are colleges looking for? a) GPA b) ACT/SAT scores c) Rigorous Coursework d) Extra-Curricular Involvement/Well-Roundedness ** USE “MICHIGAN COLLEGE GUIDE” (hand out) or to determine college requirements for admission.

Start a “College File” COLLEGE FILE TABLE OF CONTENTS: List Colleges of Interest – Dream BIG Current Copy of Unofficial Transcript Three Letters of Recommendation Create an On-line Account with each College of Interest: record Usernames/Passwords Area to Keep Records of Where/When Apply

MACRAO.ORG Great Resource! Enter Click on Michigan College Home Pages Screen is split into three columns Left= MI Public 4 year Colleges/Univ Center= MI Private 4 year Colleges/Univ Right= MI Community 2 year Colleges Each offers Quick Links to Apps

Application Time Line Try to apply at your College Visit! Early Admission is from September – November 1 st Check DEADLINES of Colleges of Interest Best to start submitting Applications in September- upon return to school Open/Rolling Enrollment v. Deadline for Apps 4 Year Colleges usually want a commitment by approximately May 1 st of Senior Year Community Colleges use Open Enrollment – Start Application Process in May of Sr. Year

Application Process ON-LINE v. PAPER: On- line is faster although many parents prefer to keep hard copies of the application – On-line seems preferred by Colleges INCLUDE THE COUNSELING OFFICE IN EACH STEP OF YOUR APPLICATION PROCESS On-Line: Create an Account 1) Begin Application – student’s personal information is entered by student/family. There is usually an Application Fee of appx. $35 -$50. 2) Come to Counseling Office to request academic records be sent to your college choices. If you desire, you can mail the Application Fee with trans. 3) DOCUFIDE/PARCHMENT – You may choose to create an account with Docufide; you can order your transcripts on-line indicating where to send them. This generates an Transcript Request to Ms. Bates. 4) DON’T FORGET! You will need to let Ms. Bates know if your updated transcript needs to be sent more than once. PAPER: 1) Mail in your Application 2) Request Transcript be sent by Counseling Office 3) Don’t forget to include check for Application Fee 4) Make Copies of everything and record the date you send it

Accounts to Create : if you need to send scores to additional schools NOT indicated on your child’s original sheet : if you are a perspective college athlete, you’ll need to create an account if you are interested in ordering records through Docufide/Parchment. MORE: many links included on Counseling Department’s site regarding COLLEGES, CAREERS, FINANCIAL AID & SCHOLARSHIPS free scholarship search

Senior Year Events Come back to school this fall knowing several schools you’d like to attend, ready to apply! Sign up to Retake ACT/SAT (if unhappy w/score) Keep grades UP throughout the year- they check! Avoid SENIORITIS at all costs! Attend FINANCIAL AID NIGHT – January 2014 Use LSHS Counseling Department website

Financial Aid, Scholarships and FAFSA Financial Aid a) Grants b) Loans Scholarships a) Community b) Private c) College/University Offered FINANCIAL AID NIGHT – JANUARY FAFSA IS BASED ON 2013 TAX INFORMATION - FAFSA APPLICATION SHOULD BE CREATED 1/14 – 3/ Can create a PIN number now for your application in You MAY but it is not NECESSARY.