1. Junior Parent Night

2. Post-Secondary Options
Two/Four Year Colleges & Universities
Technical/Vocational/Business Schools
Apprenticeship Training Programs
Military Services
GAP Year Program
Tonight we will be focusing specifically on the college planning process

3. College Applications? Testing? Essays? Career Plans? Financial Aid?
Recommendations?
Applications?
Career Plans?
Testing?
Essays?
Financial Aid?

4. Tonight’s Topics Develop An Identity Research a Good Match
Apply to Schools
Financing Education

5. Tonight’s Topics Develop An Identity Research a Good Match
Apply to Schools
Financing Education

6. WHO AM I ? * TRANSCRIPT * STUDENT INFORMATION SHEET * PARENT
CONTRIBUTION
* Career
Research

7. WHAT is a Transcript?
and
WHY is it important?

8. Note: “Work In Progress” is listed with senior year classes
Note: Grades EVERY semester from 9th grade to present
Note: “Work In Progress” is listed with senior year classes

9. Student
Input
Form

10. Junior Student Counselor Meeting (winter/spring)
…more input:
Junior Student Counselor Meeting (winter/spring)
Students schedule at their convenience
(Optional) Parent Letter or Parent Input form

11. Career Preparation Programs
Naviance:
Career Cluster Finder
Career Interest Profiler
“Do What You are”
South
Grad

12. TESTING
ACT
SAT I-II
State test-April AP
(don’t forget finals)

13. College Entrance Exams
ACT
Still accepted from all colleges across US
Be sure to register for the ACT with writing
Register online
SAT I and II
(reasoning & subject tests)
We will register South students for April state tests
Additional tests you register for online
Carefully review prospective college application reqmts
Only take SAT subject tests if schools require them

14. 2016 AP Exam Schedule
Students will register & pay online through the school
If your student is going to be absent from the scheduled AP testing date(s) for unavoidable reasons, notify the Records Clerk in the Counseling Center as soon as possible so that alternate accommodations can be made.
If your student is receiving special accommodations for the SAT and want the same for the AP exams, notify the Records Room at the time you register for the APs.

15. Essay Writing Answer the question … honestly. Watch the humor.
   
Answer the question … honestly.
Watch the humor.
Watch the content. 
Show it to an English teacher.
Write the essay yourself. 
Reduce, reuse, recycle a well written essay. 
Write only on the weekends.

16. Interviews

17. Teacher Letters of Recommendation
(timeline: Spring after APs)
FIRST Check to see if your schools require a letter of recommendation
Face to face request is important (NOT )
Choose a core academic teacher that will best represent you as a student.
Give at least two weeks notice
Request officially via Naviance
Thank the teacher
Ask the Teacher
Request in Naviance
Thank You Note
in Two Weeks

19. Tonight’s Topics Develop An Identity Research a Good Match
Apply to Schools
Financing Education

20. College Search Personal Reflection on Ideal Qualities
Soul Searching
Personal Reflection on Ideal Qualities
Listing Priority Qualities
Web Search
Naviance online college match
Resources on South Counseling page
Great Books
Colleges that Change Lives by Loren Pope
College is Yours 2.0 by Patrick O’Connor
Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be by Frank Bruni

21. Campus Visits Just do it! Make it official Call ahead for a tour
Get a feel for the place
Plan & combine them
Make it official
Call ahead for a tour
Get documentation for attendance freebie
Prepare
Ask questions
Learn unique features
Personalize to your interests

22. Tonight’s Topics Develop An Identity Research a Good Match
Apply to Schools
Financing Education

23. College Application Process
To Do:
Research
Visit
Check Web/Print resources on colleges
Prepare for applications
Reference the College Application Timetable handout
Review basics of what will be done junior year (met with kids, PSAT, Results)
Use PSAT results to estimate scores and pinpoint standardized Test Preparation
Access online and print college search resources
Use CRC website & counseling center
Visit the schools while they are in session (more on this later)
Preview actual college applications in late spring/early summer to prepare college essays

24. Electronic Applications Paper Applications The Common Application

25. Where will my student’s credentials take him?
Approximations ONLY
Most competitive schools like :
University of Michigan GPA 30 ACT
Highly Competitive schools like:
MSU, Hope, K-Zoo GPA 26 ACT
Very Competitive schools like:
Albion, Hillsdale, GVSU GPA 22 ACT
Competitive schools like:
Oakland, WSU, WMU GPA 21 ACT
Aquinas, EMU, U of D GPA 21 ACT
Less Competitive schools like:
SVSU, LSSU, Ferris 2.0 GPA 19 ACT

26. Five good reasons to choose Community Colleges
MONEY – CCs cost a fraction of a four year college and can be a great way to get the basics out of the way
WEAK GRADES or TEST SCORES – if you can’t get in to your top school you may well be able to transfer in after a couple of semesters at a CC
WORK or FAMILY OBLIGATIONS – CCs allow flexible scheduling with weekends and evenings so you can juggle your family and work life.
CAREER CHOICE DOESN’T REQUIRE A BACHELOR’S DEGREE – Many service and technological careers do not require a four year degree.
NOT SURE ABOUT GOING TO COLLEGE - A lot of high school students have a sense that they should go to college, but they aren’t sure why and aren’t really fond of school. If this describes you, CC can be a good option. You can try out some college-level courses without committing years of your life and tens of thousands of dollars to the experiment.

27. Tonight’s Topics Develop An Identity Research a Good Match
Apply to Schools
Financing Education

28. Financial Aid
and Scholarships

29. CRC
FAFSA
Private
FAST WEB
Scholarships

30. Visit the South CRC Webpage

31. Career Resource Center (CRC) in Library
Career Resource Center (CRC)
in Library
Monday through Friday 7:30 am – 10:30 am
or by appointment at other times
Contact: Liz Naporano
Visit the CRC website!
Naviance, college representative visits, financial aid, college videos & catalogs, summer programs, vocational school information, service information, College Night, Financial Aid Night

32. Going Green with handouts
Look for the following helpful handouts online in Naviance in the document Library
Test Calendar
Time Table for Juniors and Senior Year
Financial Aid Resources
Early Decision vs. Early Action
…And much more
Use your Parent Portal Password to access the program for the first time

33. Warning!