General Information The College Process begins……………….

Educational Career Plan Why it is important – Make sure you have met ALL requirements for graduation!!! – Double check with Course History Advisors will have these for you!!! Relation to Academies & Future Plans Revised Yearly (or more)

Where should I be now? Graduation Requirements – Specific credits, 25 total credits, S. Learning… College Searching – Narrow colleges choices- 3-5 – Reach schools & Safety schools SAT’s/Act’s- taken at least once – Re-take date: Oct 4 th (register by Sept 9 th ) Job Shadow – Opportunities still exist!

Types of Schools 2 Year College – Community College 4 Year College or University Military Academies Business, Technical or Trade School All have different requirements!!

Community College (2 year) Times have changed! Carroll Community College – – Hills Scholar Program Accuplacer

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES Student Responsibilities Application PaymentEssay Letters of Recommendation Resume or Packet Sr. Activity Form Thank you Letter Transcript Request Form Counselor Portion of Application Counselor Packet & Sr. Activity Form Financial Aid Scholarships College Newsletters Websites FAFSA

MY RESPONSIBILITIES Counselor Responsibilities Transcript Processing Counselor Portion of Application Letter of Recommendation (if required) Local Scholarship Info. Newsletter & Website FAFSA Information Graduation Requirements Verification Support Programs Educational & Academic Personal

College Applications Where do you get it? – On- line – Common Application What’s included? – Requirements- Essay, letters of recommendation,… – Admission DEADLINES Is there an application Fee?

What if I’m behind? College searches: – - Counselor-O-Matic – College Search Engine Meet with a Peer Facilitator or ME Talk with Parents, Teachers, Advisors…

Transcript Requests Forms in Guidance- 1 form per request Must be made 10 school days prior to date needed Official vs. Unofficial 3 FREE, $1 each after that Must be mailed directly to school, scholarship,..etc. or it is unofficial What’s included? (see next slide)

What is included on a Transcript? All courses taken to date & final grades earned – Including levels, AP courses,..etc. Cumulative Grade Point Average Class Rank Testing Information (SAT, ACT, AP) – Unless you mark for us NOT to send them – Many schools require you to send them from collegeboard Copy of most recent report card (if available) Copy of schedule for the year Grades- courses in progress (if earned at the time)

What are colleges looking for? Test scores GPA Strength of Schedule Attendance Extracurricular- in & out of school – Clubs, sports, church Talent, Skills, Uniqueness Service Learning Application – Essay – Letters of Recommendation Interview

Weighted vs. Un-weighted Grades All Level 8 classes are weighted – A= 5.0 – B= 4.0 – C= 3.0 – D/F- not weighted All AP courses are Level 8 Both are provided on transcript

Recommendation Letters Do I need them? When? Who? How?

Do I need recommendations? Check your application- not all schools require them If they do, they will specify the number of letters they require And they may specify WHO you must select: – Teacher, Community member, Counselor…

WHEN should I ask? 1 st - Review college applications – Remember application deadlines NOW is the time- start thinking! MINIMUM of 3 weeks

WHO should I ask? Follow college criteria Someone who knows you BEST! Academics AND Other, if possible Take NO for an answer! Choose wisely!

HOW should I ask? Always in person Plenty of Notice (3 weeks or more!) Provide: – Sr. Activity Form or Resume – My Senior Recommendation Request Form (on-line) or some form of personal information – Other information you feel is important or that you would like to be focused upon in the letter of recommendation

Our School Website and the Senior Recommendation Request Form… If a letter of recommendation from Mrs. Hunsicker is needed, please visit our web site (https// under the School Counseling Tab then under College/Postsecondary. Complete the Senior Recommendation Request form, which includes a copy of the Senior Activity Form. To use the senior recommendation request form on our school website, please copy and paste the form into a Microsoft word document. Additional space may be added beneath each question to make room for answers to the questions asked. After completing the questionnaire please the document to Mrs. McKeiver at

REMEMBER… It’s not about what you did, its about who you are! It’s about your CHARACTER What makes you stand out from the crowd? Give additional information that is helpful and NOT just a list of accomplishments – Include personal issues if needed for clarification – Personal goals, specific details,…

Sources of Information - Where to go from here? College websites & search engines Scholarship searches- see handout Books from Guidance Colleges/University materials Ask Around

College Visits & Tours When? – NOW 2 days in Senior year What do you do and why?

The Dreaded College Essay!!!  Do they really read it?  What to write about?  Ask for Help!

Divisions- Athletics Division I, II, III- What’s the difference? – Division I – Division II – Division III NCAA Clearinghouse

When you say, “Nobody ever told me…” Pay attention!!!! – Newsletters- School, Guidance, Scholarship…. – School website – Morning & Afternoon announcements – Advisory Know where to get help- resources – Who, What, When, Where – Don’t be afraid to ask! Start NOW to plan for the future!

Moving on………………. Any questions?????