+ Senior Parent Night: Intro to College October 8 th, 2015 Presented by Ms. DeJesus

+ Agenda Introductions Purpose of Parent Senior Night College Search Application Procedures Naviance Scholarships Parent Responsibilities Financial Aid Night Other Resources

+ Introductions

+ Introductions: Counseling Department Ms. DeJesus x4-3052] College Counselor Mrs. Del Valle x4-3143] Divisions: 632, 635, 641, 675 Mrs. Diaz x4-3045] Divisions: 610, 615, 620, 650 Ms. Moumji x4-3038] Divisions: 623, 649, 670, 671, 672 Mr. Powell x4-3039] Divisions: 629,630, 660,

+ Post-secondary Teaching Team Ms. DeJesus- College Counselor, 6 th period, non-senior seminar students Mrs. Serritella- Senior Seminar periods: 1 st, 4 th, & 5 th Mrs. Walker- Senior Seminar periods: 1 st,2 nd, 3 rd,5 th, & 7 th Mrs. Scolire- 1 Goal Mrs. Ferrarini and Mrs. Del Valle- IB Jaime Camargo- College Coach from ISAC (Serritella) Barbara Meschino- College Coach from TRIO (Walker)

+ Purpose of Parent Night

+ Purpose of Senior Parent Night  To assist you and your senior with the application process.  To discuss application procedures, transcript requests and letters of recommendation.  To share important dates  To discuss parent responsibilities.

+ College Search

+ College Search: Things to consider About me Who are you? What do you want? What do you like? How to find colleges? Know the requirements: selectivity, 2 year, 4 year schools, state, region, major, sports, average cost, enrollment, graduation rate College Visits/Virtual campus tours in college websites College Fairs (October 19 th at Steinmetz) Virtual Tours (in senior seminar and on your own) Naviance (in senior seminar and on your own) Speak to College Reps in th period

+ College Search Colleges will communicate with your child via . Make sure that their addresses are professional. Good example: Bad example: Have s sent to your child’s smart phone and remember to check them often. They can miss important deadlines if they are not diligent. You will also need a professional to apply for the FAFSA. (Will talk more about the FAFSA next parent night).

+ Application Procedures

+ Applying Online Apply either through the college website or Common Application website (commonapp.org) If college accepts the Common App and also has its own online application, seniors must use the common app for us to be able to send electronic documents.

+ Application Types REGULAR DECISION: apply by the regular deadline date and will receive notification of admissions based on how that college processes applications ROLLING: colleges process the application as soon as it is complete PRIORITY: often colleges will have a priority date for scholarships and other benefits. EARLY DECISION: apply by an early deadline date, and if accepted (usually by Jan 1) students are legally bound to attend EARLY ACTION: apply by an early deadline date, the college will notify you of acceptance early (on or before Jan 1) you are not obligated to attend

+ College Applications: College Essays College Essays Essays allow colleges to get a better picture of the applicant. It is a way for students to speak to the college and show off their individuality. Optional Essays: These allow admission readers to hear from the student and make a lasting impression on them-your child should write them!! Ask an English or Senior Seminar teacher you trust to proofread the essay before the application is submitted!

+ College Applications: Transcripts Transcript: Each school requires students to send in an official transcript from the high school. Students applying to schools should send transcripts electronically (we will assist with this!) Directions on how to do this are located on the Steinmetz College and Career Handbook. Students should have received it. Students will sometimes need to have paper copies sent to the schools. They will need to fill out the “Transcript request Card” and submit it in the main office to Mrs. Rupa. Please do not send transcripts until you/your child has actually submitted their college application. If you send them prematurely the college will not have a file on you/your child set up and the transcript may get misplaced.

+ Transcript request cards

+ Teacher Recommendations If required:  Ask two teachers in person  Use recommendation form for teachers  available in the College Lab 330  Put teacher recommendation request in Naviance  Give at least 3 weeks notice  Check Naviance to see when letters have been completed  Note - Once uploaded, you will not be able to read teacher recommendations

+ College Applications Fees and Waivers Application Fee Each four year university requires an application fee, and they can be pricey! ($40-$85) If you receive Free or Reduced Lunch, you qualify for a waiver. Through Common App, your counselor can waive the fee. Your counselor can also give you a waiver form for other colleges/universities not on the Common App. Make a decision as a family about how much you are willing to spend on application fees and make sure your child is serious about attending the schools before you spend the money on the application fee. Community Colleges do not have an application fee.

+ What will happen after I apply? Admission Decisions: Accepted: Your child has a space available for them at that school if he/she wants to go there!! Deferred/Waitlisted: The admissions office wants to see more information on your child and has decided to wait to make a decision. Schools typically want midyear grades and may request that the applicant take the SAT again. They will then make a decision later in the school year. Denied: The admissions office does not think that your child meets their profile for a successful student at that campus.

+ DEADLINES Please leave at least 2 weeks for the recommendation and transcript request to be processed.  November 15 for all December 1 deadlines  December 1 for mailings before Winter Break We CANNOT honor same day requests for transcripts.

+ Naviance

+ What Does It Do? Students can search and compare colleges It tells you how you can send applications Students can send transcripts with Naviance. Students can send transcripts with Naviance. Request recommendation letters. Request recommendation letters. teachers/counselors. teachers/counselors.

+ Scholarships

+ Finding Scholarships: Where to look Libraries & bookstores (old school) Internet sites Colleges/Universities College Lab Senior Seminar teachers will share in class CPS Scholarship handbook (we will share with you)

+ Parent Responsibilities

+ Discuss future plans, including your finances, with your child. Contact Ms. DeJesus if you have any questions regarding post high school options. Check with your child periodically about college deadlines and provide counselors with at least a week prior to completing a letter of recommendation. Attend Steinmetz College Fair with your child Dec. 19 th and our Financial Aid Night on Dec. 1 st !!! Make sure you provide your child with you tax info for the FAFSA application!!! Complete your portion of the application (signature, checks, residence verification, etc.). Check over the Transcript Request Form for each college your child applied to or make sure they have submitted transcripts requests via Naviance. Keep copies of everything you send to a college. Arrange to visit prospective colleges with your child.

+ Financial Aid Night

+ FAFSA What is it? Free Application for Federal Student Aid Yes it is FREE!!! Do not pay someone to fill it out for you We will have professionals assist your child at school Who is eligible? Students that are U.S. citizens Students that are Legal Permanent Resident

+ FINANCIAL AID NIGHT December 1 st, :30pm Mandatory meeting FAFSA will be explained in more detail Everyone eligible must complete the FAFSA Bring your 2014 Tax forms We will share options for financing your child's education More on Scholarships DREAMER focused workshop and information

+ Other Resources

+ Communities United Fash Khan from Communities United Will share information about the organization DAPA/DACA Healthcare Resources Other Resources

+ Other Resources: College Related

+ Other Resources: Financial Aid

+ Questions Thank you for coming!!!! See you December 1 st from 5:30pm to 6:30pm Remember to please bring your 2014 tax forms