1. Post-Secondary Planning
September 15, 2016

2. Counselor Advice
Yes, soon, you will be making a leap into your future. You can do it. Always strive to:
Make informed choices
Engage with the process
Use your resources well
Remain calm and organized
Not a life or death decision

3. Helpful Resources Counselors Educational Talent Search (Tues & Wed)
Loretta Collins: A-D
Herb Crowell: E-J
Amy Webster K-M
John Pemberton N-Sa
Teresa Savage: Sc-Z
Danielle Seifert/Eman Abdullahi: CCC Coordinators
Educational Talent Search (Tues & Wed)
Upward Bound (Mon & Wed after school)
College Admission Offices
College Rep Visits at Washburn:
Sign up on Naviance (visit schedule)
Pass will be sent by Danielle/Eman

4. MPS Graduation Requirements
Course
Credits
Make-up
English
4 credits (4 years)
After school credit recovery starts Monday, September 19. Complete form in counseling office to sign up.
Social Studies
Math
3 credits (3 years)
Science
Health
1 credit (1 year) PE
Fine Arts
Total Credits
21.5 credits
Take ACT or Accuplacer
My Life Plan
Complete all Assignments

5. Next Steps…Pick Your Path
Military
Gap Year
Service – Americorps
Travel
Apprenticeship/Work
College/University
2 year or 4 year?
Public or Private?

6. Senior Year Timeline Fall: Applications
9/22 College Application and FAFSA Night for families
10/4 National College Convention Center
10/7 Senior Status letters sent home
10/22 ACT (register by 9/16)
11/1 U of M application deadline
11/8 MNACC College Washburn
Winter: Scholarships/Financial Aid
11/10 FAFSA Presentation Night
11/17 MN Dream Act FAFSA Workshop
12/10 ACT (register by 11/4)
12/13 MN Dream Act FAFS Workshop
2/1 Washburn Scholarship Applications distributed
3/1 Application Decisions
3/1 FAFSA “Deadline”
Spring: Graduation
4/10 Graduation Status letters sent home
4/15 Financial Aid packages
5/1 Make Final Decisions
6/7 Graduation 4:30pm

7. Roles Student Project Manager Naviance (Managing Tool) Parent
Supporting conversations
Reality check
Balance between independence/dependence
Counselor/Coordinator
Answer questions
Provide resources
Write letters if needed; send transcripts and forms

8. College: Determining Your List
Have a balance of “Reach,” “Possible” and “Likely” schools

9. Determining Good Schools
A good school is one that is a good fit for you
What is a good fit? A school where you will be happy, engaged, grow and meet your needs (educational, personal social and financial)

10. Using Your Numbers: Your Profile
Primary Factors in your “Profile”
G.P.A.
Rigor of coursework
ACT or SAT Test Scores
Secondary Factors in your “Profile”
Demographic diversity
Class rank
Activities/ Unusual Talent
Work experience
Volunteering

11. Comparing Your Profile
Likely – realistic
Your profile is SIGNIFICANTLY stronger than the typical freshman
60-90% chance of admission
Possible – selective
Your profile is similar to the typical freshman
30-60% chance of admission
Reach – more selective
Your profile is not as strong as the typical freshman
less than 30% chance of admission

12. Use of Scattergrams

13. General Application Tips
Professional
Appropriate grammar, punctuation
Spell/Grammar check
No texting language
Professional address
Your application (not Mom’s!)
Honesty & Integrity
Read the Directions
Answer the questions
Meet Deadlines

14. Applications/Deadlines
Options
Know which application methods will be the least time consuming.
The Common Application
Institutional Application
The Coalition Application (new)
Know your deadlines
Rolling Admissions
Regular Deadline
Early Action/Priority Deadline
Early Decision

15. Naviance: Tracking Tool

16. Teacher Letter of Recommendation
Check applications carefully to see if you need one (Danielle or Eman or your counselor can help you with this)
Request 2-4 weeks prior to when you need them
Write a thank you note to teacher

17. Weekly Senior Classroom Meetings
U of M and UW Madison
Private Colleges
Writing a Good Essay
4 Year MNSCU Schools and UW System
Community Colleges, Tech, and Apprenticeships
Financial Aid Overview
Applying for Financial Aid
Local Scholarships
Decoding Your Financial Aid Letter
Senior Survey

18. Meeting With Your Counselor
Meet with your counselor for one of three types of appointments. Make the appointment with Maggie.
Meeting Type “A”: Question and Answer session (up to 20 minutes).
Meeting Type “B”: Set your list of schools that you are applying to and inform us about what materials you will need from the school. Counselor will load info to Naviance. Yes, you can still do a Q & A with us. (30 minutes).
Meeting Type “C”: If needed, counselor interview to write a letter of recommendation. You must have first had at least a “B” meeting with us first (45 minutes).
You can also meet with Ms. Seifert or Ms. Eman in CCC at any time for questions and answers.
Step 1a. Develop Potential College List
Step 1b. Determine Requirements & Complete Application(s)
Step 1c. Request test scores sent from ACT/SAT
Step 5 Initial application meeting with counselor (15-30 minutes)
Add schools to which you are applying to Naviance
Transcripts, requests for fee waivers, profile, permission to send data form, student ratings forms all sent. Don’t need college’s form.
Report to counselor who is writing recommendation (if required). Must fill out “Recommendation Form” on Naviance. 2 weeks notice minimum!
Matching Common App with Naviance (if required)
$2 per transcript after the first three. Pay in May.
Step 6 Interview Meeting, if necessary (40-45 minutes)
Counselor Interview must be at least two weeks prior to deadline.
Step 7 Follow-up with your Counselor either in person or over to either add schools to your list or if you have other questions.
Remember! All pieces of the app don’t have to be sent at the same time!

19. General Application Instructions
1. Develop your list of schools
Know your deadlines
2. Complete your applications
3. Send your ACT or SAT scores
Student must do this by logging into actstudent.org

20. General Application Instructions (continued)
4. Set up Counselor Meeting “B”
Transcripts
School Profile (colleges use to determine course rigor)
Sign FERPA waiver
Fee Waiver
Inform counselor of teacher recommendations if needed
Match Naviance to Common App (if using)
5. Set up Counselor Meeting “C” if necessary
Counselor interview
6. Check Naviance frequently if you are concerned about school materials being sent.