1. We must make the choices that enable us to fulfill the deepest capacities of our real selves. – Thomas Merton

2. Choices After RHS Vocational Training Armed Forces Community College University Work Force

3. College Bound Students Approx. 99% of incoming freshman report they plan on attending college 2010 senior class: 94% of students attend a 2 or 4 year college after graduation – (64% - 4 year and 30% - 2 year) 6% plan to enter the military, career/vocational schools, employment, or delay admission to college

5. GPA/Academic Performance ACT/SAT Course Selection – rigor in areas of strength Rank Essays Recommendations Interviews Extracurricular - sports, clubs, volunteer work, etc.

6. RHS Graduation Requirements 4 credits in Language Arts 3 credits in Social Studies 3 credits in Science 4 credits in Math 1 credit in Health and PE 1 credit in Visual, Performing, Applied Arts *NCAA student/athletes – speak with counselor

7. CONSIDER COLLEGE CHARACTERISTICS What are you looking for in a college?

8. College is a big investment of time and money. It has the potential to increase earning power. Examine college characteristics carefully. Does the college have your academic program of interest? Go to their website and explore! Besides the program, what else does the college offer? CONSIDER COLLEGE CHARACTERISTICS

9. Admission Standards Knowing the entrance standards of a college will give you some idea of how likely you are to be accepted. College admission data – ACT and GPA http://www.rochester.k12.mi.us/rochester-high- school/pages/6304/counseling-department http://www.rochester.k12.mi.us/rochester-high- school/pages/6304/counseling-department Check out the college’s website for this information. It varies per school. 2 consecutive years of a foreign language is a requirement for some colleges. However, it is not a graduation requirement.

10. SIZE: Large schools may offer…. More areas of specialized study More courses in each area More extracurricular activities Larger libraries More lab/computer facilities “The college experience”

11. SIZE: Small colleges may offer…. More personal atmosphere Small classes: teacher knows your name, knows when your absent….. More discussion and fewer lectures More availability to connect with their students

12. Other Important Considerations – Location (type of community) – Size of school – Costs: scholarship and financial aid – Public verses Private – Campus activities/Athletic Programs – Academic reputation – Support Services – Academic and Career Services, Disabilities Office

13. LIST, COMPARE, AND VISIT COLLEGES Compile information from several resources: – Internet Careercruising.com - http://www.careercruising.com/http://www.careercruising.com/ Collegeboard.org Catalogs (mailings) – College representatives @ RHS (Fall) This rep reads the applications first – College Night (October @ Adams High for 2012) – Campus Visits – call admissions office directly to schedule a tour – Counselors and teachers – Parents, students, and alumni – Professionals in the field – job shadowing

14. Prepare a college comparison checklist (in your packet) Compare strengths of each school Weigh advantages and disadvantages LIST, COMPARE, AND VISIT COLLEGES

15. Meet with an admission counselor Verify admission requirements Determine actual college costs Ask about financial aid opportunities Take a campus tour Investigate your academic program(s) of interest Attend a class if available Talk with students and faculty Checklist for a Campus Visit ( in your packet)

16. APPLY FOR ADMISSION AND OBSERVE DEADLINES Narrow your choices – school and program Review college admissions requirements Know application fees (free/reduced lunch) and deadlines, scholarship requirements and deadlines Submit application Fall of senior year Application for admissions – apply online - standard practice High school transcript – Parchment http://www.rochester.k12.mi.us/rochester-high- school/pages/6304/counseling-department http://www.rochester.k12.mi.us/rochester-high- school/pages/6304/counseling-department ACT/SAT test results – send scores (4) when registering or send later for a fee, Feb. 16 – “bubbling” date Recommendation letters can be mailed (or uploaded) directly to the college by the recommender

17. Creating an account Steps to creating an account: 1. Go to the Transcript Request link on the counseling website. http://www.rochester.k12.mi.us/stoney-creek-high- school/pages/6310/counselors 2. When you get to the PARCHMENT website, Click on the link ‘Register with PARCHMENT’. 3. Select your enrollment status and your Graduation Year. Then click Save & Continue. 4. Enter your identifying information and click Continue. 5. Enter your email address and select a password. 6. Activate your account by responding to the confirmation email you will receive from PARCHMENT. (Be sure to check your ‘junk’ folder if you do not see the email). Online Registration Tutorial http://parchment.adobeconnect.com/studentreg/

18. Parchment Website

19. Requesting a Transcript Steps to Ordering a Transcript (after you have created an account) 1) Go to the PARCHMENT link on your school website. 2) Enter your email address and your PARCHMENT password and click Sign In. 3) Follow the instructions for selecting colleges to which your transcript should be sent. For other organizations, such as scholarship providers, click the link under “Select Other Destinations” or “NCAA” and enter the information requested. NOTE: You may click on the Order Status tab to view the current status of any transcript you have already ordered. You will also receive emails confirming the progress of your transcript requests at each step in the process. Online Tutorial for Ordering a Transcript http://parchment.adobeconnect.com/studenttranreq/

20. Summer Preparation Students should continue their college and career research – visit colleges Have completed letter(s) of recommendation (resume needed) Begin looking at applications on the college’s website Get started on application essays

21. Scholarships Begin searching through a variety of scholarship search engines – ex- fastweb.com Visit the counseling webpage where scholarships are updated regularly http://www.rochester.k12.mi.us/rochester-high- school/pages/6304/counseling-department http://www.rochester.k12.mi.us/rochester-high- school/pages/6304/counseling-department Searching for scholarships is hard work that can pay off $

22. Transferring Credits between community college and university Plan ahead and speak to the receiving university Transfer credit information is online – Michigan Transfer Network Articulation agreements vary per schools – roughly 48-62 credits (with specific classes) *If GPA and ACT are not up to par, attending a community college for one year and then transferring may be an option. Some colleges (OU) will look solely at the 24 college credits = 1 year and not request high school transcripts.

23. 27% of students that start a 4-year degree don’t return after their first year 50% of students start a 4-year college, but don’t graduate in 6 years 33% of students completed their 4-year degree while attending 3 or more colleges 22% of Michigan residents over 25 have a 4-year degree *Risk factors - procrastination and amount of reading *College isn’t just about getting in. It’s about earning a degree, getting a job, and living independently. *Have a conversation about at-risk behaviors – drinking in dorm room, being alert while walking on campus, financial responsibility

24. FINANCIAL AID Jan. 10 at Adams High – 7 p.m. Federal, State Aid & Scholarships

25. Financing an Education Invest in higher education – Continuing education after high school is much more important for this generation than it was for their parents’ and grandparents’ generation. Investigate all possible resources – Parents - Summer Earnings -Savings – Financial aid: www.fafsa.ed.govwww.fafsa.ed.gov Grants Loans Work study Scholarships Apply for financial aid as early as Jan. 1 of senior year (FASFA) Apply for the financial aid pin before Jan. 1 at www.pin.ed.gov Needed to electronically sign the applicationwww.pin.ed.gov

26. What is FAFSA? The FAFSA is the : – F=Free – A=Application – F=Federal – S=Student – A=Aid – The FAFSA collects certain personal and financial data used to confirm and calculate the student’s eligibility. – The FAFSA applies the student for state aid as well. – You must complete a FAFSA every year. It is recommended that this is done prior to March.

27. How To Apply for Financial Aid (FAFSA) Apply online: (they encourage this) – If applying electronically, get a PIN # first. This PIN serves as your electronic signature. To get a PIN #, www.pin.ed.govwww.pin.ed.gov PIN # will be received by email in 1-5 days. After PIN is received: www.fafsa.ed.gov www.fafsa.ed.gov

28. MICHIGAN MERIT EXAM (MME) March 6 th, 7 th, and 8 th

29. ACT/PLAN/EXPLORE ACT – curriculum based test directly related to what students have learned in high school courses, timed test ACT average composite score for RHS - 22.8, with 36 being the highest ACT’s College Readiness Benchmarks – English 18, Math 22, Reading 21, Science 24

30. What does MME include? ACT plus writing English – 45 minutes & 75 questions Math – 60 minutes & 60 questions Reading – 35 minutes & 40 questions (4 passages) Science – 35 minutes & 40 questions Writing – 30 minutes & 1 prompt

31. What does MME include? continued….. WorkKeys: Earn certificate for MI workforce Reading for Information: 45 minutes – measures the skill people use when they read and use written text in order to do a job. The written texts include memos, letters, directions, signs, notices, bulletins, policies, and regulations. Applied Mathematics: 45 minutes – measures the skill people use when they apply mathematical reasoning, critical thinking, and problem-solving techniques to work-related problems. The test questions require the examinee to set up and solve the types of problems and do the types of calculations that actually occur in the workplace. This test is designed to be taken with a calculator.

32. Michigan Portions (MEAP-like) Mathematics: 20 minutes Science: 50 minutes Social Studies – Part 1: 50 minutes – Part 2 50 minutes What does MME include? continued…..

33. The best preparation - a solid high school curriculum! Check out the counseling webpage for free online test prep. Review PLAN results Consider taking a preparation class – www.princetonreview.com www.princetonreview.com – Collegeboard.com for SAT – Huntington Learning and Sylvan Learning Center ACT PREPARATION

34. SAT The SAT Reasoning Test is a measure of the critical thinking skills you'll need for academic success in college. The SAT assesses how well you analyze and solve problems—skills you learned in school that you'll need in college. Check out www.collegeboard.com for more informationwww.collegeboard.com

35. To Wrap Up March 6, 7, 8, 2012 MME/ACT TEST DATES (Michigan Merit Exam). Participation is a graduation requirement! Test is given at RHS during the school day. Juniors MUST be present. ACT TEST MARCH 6-- All Juniors will take the ACT at RHS as part of the MME. OTHER ACT NATIONAL TEST DATES (not at RHS): REGISTER BY MARCH 9, 2012 FOR APRIL 14, 2012 TEST REGISTER BY MAY 4, 2012 for JUNE 9, 2012 TEST ACT Test is recommended for college-bound juniors who plan to attend a Michigan or out-of- state college or university. This test can be taken more than one time. Earlier dates available. More information in the counseling office or register on-line at www.actstudent.orgwww.actstudent.org Financial Aid Night on January 10, 2012 at 7:00 pm at Adams High School(Primarily for senior parents but open to all).

36. THANK YOU FOR COMING!