1. College 101 I’m a Senior – Now What??

2. Who are You?  GPA  Test Scores  Curriculum  Volunteer Opportunities  Leadership  Employment  Personal Character

3. Where Should You Go? Location Size Programs Cost Sports Student Activities & Organizations Diversity Public/Private/For Profit Co-ed or Single Gender Reputation Selectivity Results

4. When Should I Apply?  August 1st  October 15th  November 1 st  March 1 st  May 1 st  Know the deadlines for all important steps!  Early Decision or Early Action

5. Early Decision vs. Early Action  Apply Early (usually by November 1 st )  Get Admission Decision Early (December /January  Early Decision is Binding  Early Action is Non-Binding  Make deposits with everyone else

6. Choose Your Team  Teachers  Coaches  Counselors  Employers  Supervisors

7. College Visits  Call ahead  Stay Overnight  Visit Academic Department(s)  Visit with Students  Prepare!!!  Take Notes  Compare

8. The Application  Online vs. Paper  Parchment for transcript submission  Common Application  Read EVERYTHING  Answer EVERYTHING  Track  Check on discrepancies  Fee waivers for free/reduced lunch students

9. Recommendations  Your team – ask the right person  Request at least 2 weeks in advance  Provide a deadline  Give guidance  Waive your right to read the letters  Send a “Thank You”  Consider writing your own letter

10. Should I Retest?  Know the college/university’s entrance statistics  SAT account creation  Create an account at Collegeboard.org  Register early  Fee waiver for free/reduced lunch students for one retake  Sending scores

11. Does Anyone Read the Essay? YES!!!

12. How to Write a Good Essay  Give yourself time  Follow the rules  Be yourself  Have someone proofread your essay  Answer the question  Don’t repeat yourself.

13. How Much Will It Cost?  Tuition  Room & Board  Fees  Books  Supplies/Materials  Transportation  Living Expenses  Don’t succumb to “Sticker Shock”

14. How Will I Pay For College?  Scholarships  Loans – subsidized or unsubsidized  Savings  Work Study  Help from others

15. Do I Have to Complete the FAFSA?  Most colleges will require FAFSA in order to receive any financial aid  Some will require the CSS Financial Aid Profile  Available October1 st 2016  Due March 10 th 2017 – state aid  Changes to tax year information used  Workshop here at BHS stay tuned!

16. Where Can I Find Scholarships?  www.fastweb.com www.fastweb.com  www.cappex.com www.cappex.com  Senior Website – seniors.buchananschools.com seniors.buchananschools.com  Guidance Office Bulletin Board  Guidance Office Scholarship Drawer  Ask parents, grandparents, friends, everyone you know.

17. When Should I Begin? TODAY!!!!!

18. Whose Job Is This? Yours