Activities  Leadership  Potential to contribute to the vitality of a college campus  Ability to do more than study  Research or involvement in something related to your major.  Activities are not just school related  Consider anything of substance that you do on a regular basis outside of the classroom  ( Probably not video games)

Activities  Develop leadership  Make you an interesting person  Allow you to show commitment  4 years of a sport  4 years of performing arts  Colleges prefer depth in activities rather than breadth  Create your own opportunities

Awards & Recognition  Sets you apart from others  Proof of your participation  Shows competitive nature  Grades 9 – 12 unless national recognition  Not just school related  Awards you Pay For are not your best option

Admissions Officials Know:  Your school courses & opportunities  Your local demographic  Your regional college opportunities  Your non-profit volunteer opportunities  Your state capital opportunities  Your professional internship possibilities (Such as IT, Medical, Legislature, FBI, Military, etc.)  They know all about your possibilities  Side by side - your world versus your application

Community Service  Shows awareness of the needs of others  Opportunity to stretch your horizons  Leadership  Recognition  Career Exploration  Develop community connections  Maturity

Document your service!  Service form is available on our website  Very few seniors have documented the 60 hour requirement  Freshmen – Juniors need 80 hours of service documented to meet the Western Sierra graduation requirement.

Employment  Admissions officials like to see students who are invested in themselves.  Nearly all students work during college  Evidence of ability to balance a busy lifestyle with a job  Shows maturity  Shows awareness of financial responsibility  Develops first professional network  Financial Aid package may include “Student self- help” which is a job!

Resume’  Snapshot of the total student  Academics  Activities (Anything you do on a regular basis)  Awards & Recognition  Volunteer Experience  Employment  References  Can be uploaded to the Common App

Add from the top  Weave a theme  Update regularly  Depth rather than breadth  Less is more  Leadership  Maturity  Awareness  Stretching your comfort zone

What will look good?  Passion  Leadership  Depth  Outside of the normal or traditional role  Shows potential to contribute to the vitality of a college campus  Be AUTHENTIC! NOT A RESUME’ BUILDER!

Counselor Recommendation  Counselor  Mr. Kling A – K or Mr. Crosson L - Z  Registrar or Student Records Office -  Mrs. Allen College Advisor  Mrs. B  Mrs. Cutts

Letters of Recommendation  College admission (some schools)*  Scholarships  Employment  Membership in organizations  *Not for CSU or UC unless requested

Letter of Rec Form  Fill it out  Attach your resume  Attach any documentation provided by the college, scholarship, etc.

Who knows you?  Follow directions for recommenders  Letters of recommendation should have substance  Be written by someone who knows you well  AND Is your fan

Naviance  Common App Counselor Report  Common App Transcript  Common App Teacher Recommendations

Naviance  Scholarships  Resume’ Builder  College Search  Career Search  Interest Profile

Letters are gifts  Ask with plenty of lead time  Provide details to the writer  Why you need the letter  What qualities you would like them to address  Always follow up with a hand-written thank you note.

Common Ap Rankings Below average One of the top few I’ve encountered (top 1%)  Academic achievement  Intellectual promise  Quality of writing  Creative, original thought  Productive class discussion  Respect accorded by faculty  Disciplined work habits  Maturity  Motivation  Leadership  Integrity  Reaction to setbacks  Concern for others  Self-confidence  Initiative, independence  OVERALL

Scholarships  Not just for 4.0 student  Variety of styles  If financial need is criteria, often scholarships use different rules than FAFSA  Pay attention to details  Deadlines  Letters of Recommendation  Qualifications  Complete Scholarships go to the students who actively seek them!

Discriminating? Yes!  Scholarships can be offered based on anything the donor chooses:  Ethnicity  Religion  Interest  Talent  Personal Quality  Grades  Family background  Life experiences  Major  School  Region  Other  Life challenge  Or any combination

What if I don’t have a sad story?  Merit awards - based on all the good stuff in your life  Essays  Contests  General Scholarships  Specific Interest or Talent Scholarships  Specific Major Scholarships  Specific Industry or Career Scholarships

Finding Scholarships  WSCA College & Career Center  Naviance  College Financial Aid Office  College Departments

Scholarships are Everywhere!   Church or Temple  Industry or Corporation  Local organizations  Clubs  Businesses  Affiliates  Churches

Items commonly needed  Transcript  Official & Unofficial, PDF or Paper  Resume’ or profile  Letters of recommendation  School  Non School  W2 or copies of tax returns  Parent or student  Essay – Read the prompt! Talent portfolio, Performance DVD or audition

Start Now to be a Winner!  Begin to gather the documents  Keep them current  Update resume or profile  Apply broadly

How Do I Win?  Apply  Meet Deadlines  Use all your answers to show how you are the best candidate based on the criteria  Changing the order on your profile  Highlighting your history by demonstrating common values with sponsor

Don’t Disqualify Yourself!  Scholarships go to those who:  Actively seek them  Apply broadly  Apply with complete application  Meet deadlines Presentation is as important as Content

Social Media is NOT private APPLICANTS ARE SEARCHED IF IT’S OUT THERE THEY WILL FIND IT FACEBOOK, TWITTER, YOUTUBE, INSTAGRAM, ET AL

Financing an Education Starts with FAFSA  FAFSA  Federal government methodology  Family Income  Family Size  Cost of attendance = Need Need can be met: Grants Scholarships Work Study Loans Student “Self help” (job!)

Western Sierra FAFSA & Scholarship Night  January 13  6 p.m.  Right Here  Seniors – but all grade levels welcome

Federal Financial Aid Philosophy  The less $ you have  The more $ you qualify for  Financial incentives for underserved minorities*  Academic support for underserved minorities*  * Various definitions to qualify such as first in your family to go to college

FAFSA  Do not apply now  Opens January 1, 2016  Apply each January throughout college  FAFSA Night January 13, 2016  FAFSA Forecaster Link   NOT.com

Most Financial Aid Packages  Include a combination  Grants  Scholarships – Gift Aid  Work Study  Loans Most students have some debt upon graduation

Questions  ckling rocklinacademy.org – Counselor  scrosson rocklinacademy.org - Counselor  mallen rocklinacademy.org - Registrar  mbuttweiler rocklinacademy.org – Career Tech 