1. Junior Parent Night 2016-2017 College Timeline November 2015
Tuesday December 6th, 2016
Junior Parent Night
College Timeline
November 2015

2. Agenda Your student Options Course selection
Grade point average and class rank
Standardize testing
Researching options
Visiting colleges
Senior year
Timeline
Other things and questions

3. 1. Your Student

4. Student Reflection How is High School going for them?
What are their expectations?
What are your expectations?
What are their options?
Every student will have a different journey.

5. 2. Options World of work Military
Junior Parent Night
Tuesday December 6th, 2016
2. Options
World of work
Military
Gap Year – Volunteer, Special Programs, ect.
2 year technical school
2 year community college
4 year college or university
Only a High School Diploma is NOT an option!!!

8. 3. Course Selection Colleges will look at senior course selection
Sign up will take place in February 2017
Students are encouraged to take a 4th year of math and science
2 consecutive years of a global language
AP courses and PSEO
“Senior slide” = not being ready for college

9. 4. Grade Point Average & Class Rank
Higher GPA and class rank mean more options
Students should shoot for a 3.0 – usually the top 50% of their class
Juniors have only this semester and 2nd Semester left to raise their GPA before they typically apply
Colleges like to see grade improvement

10. All Juniors will take an ACT (plus writing) on April 19th in school!
5. Standardized Testing
All Juniors will take an ACT (plus writing) on April 19th in school!
FREE ACT practice test through Sylvan February 11th
There is also a February & June test ($42.50 or $58.50 w/ writing)
Senior year options are September or October
Can be taken many times, but usually 3 max
To register
SAT is also an option

11. ACT Scores 1 to 36 21 is the average
Average means some above and some below!
Every college has different averages for acceptance
U of M – High 20’s to low 30’s
MN State Colleges – 21 is automatic admission
St. John’s/St. Ben’s – 26 to 28 for our students
Augsburg – 23 for our students
Macalester – 31 for our students
Our school acceptances are on Family Connection

12. ACT scores combined with grades can be a way to get scholarships!

13. ? 6. Researching Options Thousands of colleges in the United States
2 year or 4 year?
Location?
Size?
Major?
Public or Private?
Other factors… ?

14. Family Connection Web-based program where students can:
Research colleges
Explore careers
Request transcripts
Search for scholarships

15. How is it accessed? Family Connection is on the Web
… and on the AHS website in the Guidance Office Department and on the Quick Links
Student accounts – user name and password are the same as student portal login
User name – ID Number
Password – 6 digit birthday 02/08/00
Parents should log on like the student

20. Useful Websites College Scorecard
Minnesota State Colleges & Universities
collegescorecard.ed.gov
Minnesota Department of Higher Education
Minnesota Private Colleges
College Navigator
University of Minnesota System
nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator
College Board

21. 7. Visiting Colleges

22. Car Analogy

23. College Fairs College Fairs at local high schools
March 16th Wayzata High School 6-8 pm
March 21st Rosemount High School 6-8 pm
March 22nd North High School 6-8 pm
March 23rd Mahtomedi High School 6-8 pm
April 25th Benilde-St. Margaret's 7-8:30 pm
Minnesota National College Fair
Usually in October
Register before you go:
AHS had a college fair in November

24. 8. Senior Year Decide on 3 to 6 colleges
Know their application deadlines
Most are November to January
U of M Twin Cities – Priority deadline of Nov 1
Apply before Thanksgiving break
Know their requirements
GPA and class rank
Letters of recommendation
Essays

25. Seniors should pick 3 to 6 colleges
The top 10 colleges from the last few years
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
North Hennepin Community College
Minnesota State University, Mankato
University of Minnesota, Duluth
North Dakota State University
St. Cloud State University
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Iowa State University
MCTC
Normandale Community College

26. Senior Year Apply online
Request transcripts and letters of recommendation through Family Connection
If they are a Common Application School students could apply using the Common Application
In Minnesota many private schools and now the U of M Twin Cities and UW Madison use the Common App as an option.
Some colleges may ask for 1st semester grades if they are uncertain about accepting your student

27. 8. Financial Aid
NEW!!!!
Families apply for financial aid by filling out the FAFSA starting October 1st 2017, based on 2016 tax returns
Colleges (via the college, federal and state) provide the majority of the financial aid for a student
Grants & scholarships (need-based, merit-based)
Loans
Work Study
Outside scholarships can be accessed through Family Connection

28. 9. Timeline for Students NOW - December 2016 to June 2017
Work to your full potential in high school
Study for the ACT
Take the ACT on April 19th, 2017
Sign up to take the February or June ACT, if needed
Research and visit colleges
June to July 2017
Continue to research and visit colleges
Decide on list of 3 to 6

29. Timeline for Students September to November 2017
Find out application deadlines and requirements
Take the ACT again if needed in September or October
Attend the National College Fair
Apply by Thanksgiving break
Look for outside scholarships
Continue to do well in high school
October 2017
Families: fill out the FAFSA

30. Timeline for Students December 2017 to April 2018 May 2018
Keep researching and visiting colleges
Go over Financial Aid packages
Keep looking for outside scholarships
May 2018
Decide which college you will be attending by May 1st
Put down a deposit
June 2018
Graduate
Fall 2018
Off to College!

31. 10. Other things to know
The Power of You with Minneapolis Community and Technical College
College Knowledge Month and free applications
Raise Me scholarships
Free or Reduced Lunch fee waivers
Family Connection time in Advisory
Individual or Parent Meetings with me
Impossible to know it all!

32. Questions? Jamie Dukowitz College Counselor 763-504-8824
Junior Parent Night
Tuesday December 6th, 2016
Questions?
Jamie Dukowitz
College Counselor