1. OPTIONS BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL1 1

2. Your Counseling Team:
(insert pictures and names/caseloads of Counselors, College Center staff, Clerks/Administrative Support) 2

3. Agenda Intro & Basics of College Search College Testing
Academic Profile
Wrap Up

4. Introduction and the Basics of the College Search
Part 1
Introduction and the Basics of the College Search

5. Defining “College”
Any kind of training after high school that does the following…
Prepares you for work you enjoy and at which you emerge skilled
A career with which you can earn a decent living
A career that is sustainable or offers a path for growth throughout your lifetime 5

6. College Admission Trends
Students applying to more colleges
Ease of electronic applications, Common App
Competition increasing
Cost increasing
Family resources limited due to economic downturn, don’t qualify for need-based financial aid but don’t have resources to pay

7. Where’s the class of 2016? _____ % attended 4 year schools
Public & Private
_____ % attended 2 year schools
Community Colleges
Technical Colleges
Trade schools
_____ % in state
Top 3 matriculations
_______________________

8. OPTIONS BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL
Two year or Four Year College/University
Apprenticeship programs
Gap Year
Military Service
Entering the workforce 8

9. Choosing A College Ask yourself: Size of campus Type of school
Location
Student body
Admissions
Programs of study/majors
“Character” (or fit) of the school
Price of tuition
Athletics or Special Programs 9

10. Gather Information Website Research Attend a College Fair
Naviance
College research and narrow list: SuperMatch , College Search and College Match
Princeton Review
College Board
Attend a College Fair
NACAC fair at Mpls Convention Center in Fall
_____ fair held at our school
At _____ school
Licensed School Counselors
College Center?
Campus Visits
On your own or with your parents

11. Campus Visits
How? Contact the university admissions office to set up a visit; many have info/registration online
When? Anytime! But remember, visits are more productive when classes are in session.
What? Ask to see areas of interest such as an art studio, chemistry lab or field house.
Why? It is important to visit a campus before you enroll—you will potentially be spending the next four years there! Every campus feels different. * 11

12. Bring this on visits! * 12

13. College Admissions Testing
Part 2
College Admissions Testing

14. ACT/SAT Required for entrance into most 4 year post-secondary schools
Determine 1 test to take in winter/spring of junior year (try both 1 time is okay, too)
Look at PLAN/PSAT to give indicator
PLAN=Pre-ACT
PSAT=Pre-SAT
Retest in best one
Later in spring (May or June) or beginning of senior year (September or October) if needed * 14

15. ACT/SAT, What is the difference?
Scoring: 1-36 for each subject test, averaged together for composite, 2-12 for the optional writing test
Penalty for wrong answers: No
Content:
-Math up to trigonometry
-Science (Charts, graphs, data interpretation)
-Reading (Four passages, one each of prose fiction, social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences)
-English (Stresses grammar)
-Writing: One optional essay, points awarded when certain criteria are met
Where do I sign up?
SAT (Subject tests available) Scoring: for each subject added together for combined score of
Penalty for wrong answers: No
Content:
-Math: Up to basic geometry, algebra, trigonometry
-Science: None
-Reading: Sentence completion, short and long critical reading passages, reading comprehension
-Writing: One optional essay
Where do I sign up? 15

16. Test Prep Naviance Prep Me Click on “Prep Me”
Available only on student side
Community Education classes
Books
Tutors
Huntington
Sylvan
Breathe!

17. Fee Waivers Available for ACT, SAT, and college applications
Must qualify for Free/Reduced lunch or be in a program like Upward Bound, TRiO, AVID
A total of two fee waivers for both ACT & SAT
Check with your counselor

18. No Testing www.fairtest.org
A list of schools (over 900 schools) that do not require tests to be considered for admission or that are test optional
Check for how schools use test scores
Placement vs. admission
required to be considered for scholarships
Community Colleges
Do not require ACT/SAT
Will use Accuplacer or similar

19. Financial Aid Financial aid estimators to approximate
Net price calculators located on colleges’ websites
Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
Scholarship searches
Naviance (
Scholarship list of local and national scholarships available to South students

20. Part 3
By the Numbers

21. Determining “My Profile”
Factors in your “profile”
Primary factors: these factors account for 2/3 of the decision at selective schools
GPA
Class Rank
ACT/SAT scores
Rigor of courses
Secondary factors: considered a tipping point
Involvement/leadership
Letters of recommendation
College essay/writing sample

22. Comparing Your Profile
Likely/Scholarship
Profile is SIGNIFICANTLY stronger than the typical freshmen
60-90% chance of admission
Target/Selective
Profile is SIMILAR to the typical freshmen
30-60% chance of admission
Reach/Most Selective
Profile not as strong as typical freshmen
Less than 30% chance of admission
Willing to go to ALL schools on list
Remove “back-up school” from vocabulary
Financial safety school (or “scholarship” school)
Naviance
Admissibility: Scattergrams, College Compare and Acceptance History

23. Scattergrams
The Admission History for a College (Augsburg College below) for all students from our school who have applied in the last 6 years

24. Comparing Your Profile

25. Part 4
Wrapping Up

26. College Credit While in High School
Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO)
Open to Juniors and Seniors
Provide own transportation
Admission requirement vary by institution
U of M—Twin Cities
Highly selective: GPA
April 1st application deadline
Normandale
Seniors 3.0 & Juniors 3.3
June 1st: Fall Semester & December 1st: Spring Semester deadline
MCTC
Seniors 2.5 & Juniors 3.0
June 1st: Fall Semester & December 1st: Spring Semester deadline
See counselor to discuss this option

27. Other Ways to Earn College Credit in HS
Advanced Placement (AP)
College-in-the-Schools (CIS)
Project Lead the Way (PLTW)

28. Graduation Requirements
4 Years Social Studies
4 Years English
3 Years Math
3 Years Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
1 Year PE & 1 Year Health
1 Year Fine Arts
21.5 Total Credits 28

29. Timeline Now: Get Naviance access Begin college search
Family conversation about priorities, financial aid
Register for testing
Test in spring
Plan your calendar
Start scholarship search
Visit schools

30. Timeline, cont’d Spring Research/visit colleges Start test prep & test
Continue scholarship search
Narrow down list of colleges

31. Need Help? Counselors Counseling Clerks College choice
ACT/SAT information
Application fee waivers
Rigorous coursework options
Scheduling
Meeting graduation requirements
Feeling stressed, see your counselor
Counseling Clerks
ACT/SAT fee waivers
Making an appointment with your counselor
Requesting transcripts * 31

32. Be thoughtful… Get Input… Get Organized… Get prepared…
Get Ready … Class of 2015!
Be thoughtful…
Get Input…
Get Organized…
Get prepared… 32

33. Questions?
(contact information for your counseling department here) 33