For the Class of 2015 SENIOR PLANNING

OVERVIEW 1. Senior Audit 2. Exploring Options 3. Choosing Colleges 4. Application Process 5. Sending Transcript and Test Scores 6. College Athletes 7. Financial Aid 8. Springtime and Beyond

GETTING STARTED This presentation is only one piece of information. Also refer to English lectures/homework, handouts, relevant websites, trustworthy contacts, announcements... Organization is key. Keep copies of EVERYTHING in your portfolio. Pay attention to DEADLINES. Use your planner or calendar to record deadlines and upcoming events and MONITOR frequently. Provide me with your address for updates and reminders. Your Future is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY and will depend on your efforts.

SENIOR AUDIT We will be meeting individually to review your credit status. To be eligible for graduation, you must have a total of credits including all required courses. Review your transcript and check for errors. Make sure your schedule and plan align with requirements. It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to know, monitor, and resolve your graduation eligibility status!!!

EXPLORING OPTIONS Community College/Four-Year University Employment Military ( Trade School ( Apprenticeship ( eshipOffices.aspx) eshipOffices.aspx Americorps (

EXPLORING OPTIONS Research websites and speak with representatives. Discuss your thoughts with trusted family members, friends, and mentors. Make a plan that fits with YOUR values, beliefs, goals, and lifestyle.

CHOOSING A COLLEGE

Research college websites. Meet with college reps. Attend campus visits.

RESEARCH COLLEGE WEBSITES Check out college information websites, for example: BigFuture by the College Board ( College and Career Action Network ( KnowHow2Go ( Research websites of colleges of interest. Look at admissions information, financial aid, programs of study, student life…

MEET WITH COLLEGE REPS Find out about upcoming visits by listening to the announcements and checking with the Guidance Office. You must sign up for college visits in the Guidance Office at LEAST the day prior or you will not be able to attend. Representatives only come if sufficient turnout is expected. You are responsible for any lecture materials/homework missed during the visit. Make the most out of your visit by bringing AND asking questions ( see Twenty Five Questions Handou t). Be professional and respectful. College representatives will be making decisions about YOU and your application.

ATTEND CAMPUS VISITS Contact the admissions department to schedule a visit. Prepare in advance what you will do and who you will speak to (see Contacting Colleges Handout ). You are allowed two school-related absences for campus visits each year (you must notify teachers PRIOR to the visit). You are responsible for any lecture materials/homework missed during the visit. Campus visits are an essential step in choosing a college. You should plan to visit ALL colleges that you are seriously considering.

CHOOSING A COLLEGE Compare and rank schools based on what is important to YOU: programs, size, location, atmosphere, cost, etc… See College Myths Handout. Narrow down your choices to around 3-5 schools that you will apply. # 3-5 are “dream” schools (i.e. U of M, MSU) # 2 is practical (i.e. Northern, Western) # 1 is certain (i.e. KVCC, Kellogg) Pay attention to application DEADLINES and note these on your calendar.

NEXT STEPS There are 3 main components: Application Process (including fees, essays, recommendation letters, counselor page) Sending Transcript and Test Scores Financial Aid/Scholarships

APPLICATION PROCESS Fully understand your school’s admissions options ( see College Admissions Options Handout ). Apply online. Look for “apply now” for undergraduate admissions on college website. Print out application checklist (if available). Fill out entire application and PRINT a copy for your records. You may be required to pay an application fee and will need to use a credit card number. If needed, inquire about application fee waivers. Make sure you submit any additional required documents, including but not limited to: essays, letters of recommendation, counselor page. Review checklist to make sure you have included all required documents. Questions about admissions, application, process, timeline? Contact the college’s admissions department.

THE COMMON APPLICATION Some schools require that you use “The Common Application” ( Examples include: Hope, Kalamazoo College, U of M. You will be asked to provide teachers’ and counselor’s addresses. A link will be sent to them to complete their portion electronically. Be sure to verify that your recommender received the link and use recommendation letter request process. Some colleges have a Common Application “supplement” to be filled out separately. Research your school of choice to verify.

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION Use provided folder when requesting a letter of recommendation. Ask those who know you well AND have a positive opinion of you. Ask politely (please and thank you) and allow recommenders a sufficient amount of time (at LEAST one-to-two weeks). Provide recommenders with information indicating: intention of letter, due date, “brag sheet” (unique characteristics, strengths, awards/honors, extracurricular involvement). PLEASE PROVIDE ME WITH YOUR PERSONAL ESSAY AND RESUME. Not all letters of recommendation are written equally. Only use those that will support your goals and give you an edge.

SENDING TRANSCRIPT AND TEST SCORES You must use PARCHMENT.COM to send your transcript to ALL schools to which you have applied ( see Parchment Handout ). You will receive confirmation when your request has been completed. You must RE-submit a request for additional grading periods. Request Test Scores to be sent from testing agency website ( only if you did not originally include college when you took the tes t). ACT (actstudent.org) SAT (collegeboard.com)

RE-TAKING THE ACT/SAT If you plan to re-take the ACT or SAT, you must register online through the testing agency website and pay the required fees. Colleges only look at your highest score so you may re-take as many times as you would like. To improve test scores check out testing agency website. Review test-taking tips. Take practice tests.

FOR COLLEGE ATHLETES If you will be playing sports at a D1 or D2 school, you MUST register through the NCAA clearinghouse online (

FINANCIAL AID/SCHOLARSHIPS What is Financial Aid ( see Steps for Applying for Financial Aid Handout )? Scholarships Grants Work Study Loans

FAFSA (FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID) YOU MUST fill out the FAFSA to be eligible for most financial aid (fafsa.ed.gov). Standard deadline is March 1st but some awards have earlier deadlines! You can begin filling out NOW but cannot submit until January 1 st. You will need to fill out the FAFSA every year that you are in college. Consider attending a community FAFSA event to receive help.

SCHOLARSHIPS, GRANTS, WORK STUDY Scholarships and Grants are FREE money ( see Financial Aid/Scholarships Handout ). It’s not possible to apply for too many scholarships, so apply away! Work study opportunities may be available through your institution. Apply for jobs early as they fill quickly. Pay attention to DEADLINES. It is YOUR RESPONBSILITY to double check and monitor deadlines.

LOANS Loans are like credit and MUST BE PAID BACK. Just because you were offered a large amount does not mean that you need to accept the whole amount. When you “accept” aid on your financial aid package, you can change the amount you are accepting

SCHOLARSHIP SCAMS WARNING: YOU SHOULD NEVER GIVE OUT YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY OR CREDIT CARD NUMBER WHEN SEARCHING FOR/APPLYING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS ( see Scholarship Scams Handout )!

SPRINGTIME AND BEYOND

You will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) from each college that you have applied to in late March outlining financial aid packages. Each school will have a different package. Compare packages and make a decision that takes everything into consideration; choose the school that’s best for you! Set up an orientation with your chosen school to meet with an advisor, financial aid department, housing, etc. and to register for classes. Request your FINAL TRANSCRIPT through Parchment.com before you leave for the summer. Fill out the FAFSA every year you are in college.

FINAL THOUGHTS Stay competitive by maintaining rigorous classes, grades, and extracurricular involvement. Colleges can and will change admissions decisions based on senior year performance. Remember that today’s decisions will impact future opportunities. Be professional, especially with technology. Maintain balance and avoid burnout. Seek support. Have fun and enjoy the journey!