1. Senior Parent Powerpoint
Class of 2015

2. Important Phone Numbers and Email
Address
• Mrs. Heather Hatman, A‐K Counselor •
• Mrs. Leisa Simons, A-K Registrar •
• Mrs. Stephanie Caraway, L-Z Counselor •
• Mrs. Keri Mahan, L-Z Registrar •
• Mrs. Rose Liggett, Counselor’s Secretary, •

3. Senior Meetings September 27th and 28th
High School Counselors met with small groups of seniors through English, Capstone, or VARK courses.
Yellow folders – Information on how to pay for college, federal student aid, and a flier on ASUMH technical programs.
2019 Graduate packet
ACT/SAT Dates and Deadlines – Fee waivers.
Recommendation letters – resume forms.
Forms in the main office and counseling office – College visits, transcript requests, recommendation letter request.
Reminders for senior year – get involved, academics important, community service, etc.
Counselors show seniors where to find important dates on counseling page.
Counselors showed seniors how to find scholarship page.
Seniors took a senior survey – This will give counselors information to know who needs help in what areas, what the senior plans after graduation, etc.

4. Post Secondary Options
Can Include:
Traditional 4 year schools
2 year colleges for associates degree or to transfer to 4 year.
Technical Colleges
Professional Training Programs
Military
Work
Which is appropriate for your student?

5. Application Process Student Role in College
• Deciding on Final List of colleges
• Setting up online accounts for applications
• Completing applications

6. Terms for Prediction REACH:
“Dream” school where admission is highly selective and admit rates are low. High GPA & standardized test scores do not necessarily guarantee admission.
TARGET:
Student is within the range of possibility, but depending on the applicant pool, they may/may not be admitted.

7. Terms for Prediction HIGHLY LIKELY:
• Chances for admissions are very strong
FINANCIAL/PROXIMITY SCHOOL:
• A place that students/parents can afford.
• A place where a student can get home in a day’s drive.

8. Where to Apply? Final List should include a combination of:
• “reach” schools
• “target” schools
• “highly likely” schools
• “financial & proximity” school(s)
ALL OF WHICH YOU WILL BE HAPPY TO ATTEND

9. 8 weeks (non‐binding) Admissions Options
• Regular Decision – Apply by a specific date and receive decision in spring (non‐binding)
• Rolling Admissions ‐ Review applications when submitted and receive a decision in usually 2‐
8 weeks (non‐binding)
• Priority Deadline ‐ Apply by a specific date and receive decision in 4‐8 weeks. Gives student an advantage when space is limited (non‐ binding)

10. Admissions Options
• Early Action ‐ apply early and receive decision well in advance of regular decision (non‐binding)
• Early Decision ‐ apply with a commitment to school, if admitted, must attend. (binding)
• Restrictive Early Action ‐ apply to school of preference and receive a decision early. Not allowed to apply ED, Restrictive EA or EA to other institutions. Have until May 1 to confirm (non‐ binding)

11. Complete Application Application also require:
Applications‐almost ALL on‐line
State college applications:
Educational information
Activities and honors
Signatures
Application fee
Private colleges and schools using the Common
Application also require:
Essays
Supplements

12. • Common Application Essays are up and online
• Utilize English teachers – they are a great resource
• Utilize on-line essay help or have your essay reviewed by peers and other teachers.

13. Complete College Applications
•Parent Signature (only for Early Decision)
•Official Transcript (requested by student on
form in the counseling office.)
•Official Test Score Report (requested by
student from testing company)
•Letter of Recommendation (teacher)
Secondary School Report/Letter (counselor

14. scores sent soon. It can take 2 weeks for scores to
Test Scores
• Students responsibility to send scores through
ACT or College Board
• Students are encouraged to request to have
scores sent soon. It can take 2 weeks for scores to
be received. Do not pay to “rush” scores.
• If taking an ACT in December, consider sending one score now if current score falls within the college’s published range. In some cases applications will not be reviewed until a score is received.

15. • Processing the School Report
Counselor’s Responsibilities in the Application Process
• Recommend schools
• Help finalize list
• Understand applications
requirements/deadlines
• Processing the School Report
–Submitting recommendations
–Submitting transcript/records

16. Recommendation ‐ required if a letter is needed
Counselor/Teacher Recommendation
• Resume for recommendation letter for Teacher/Counselor
Recommendation ‐ required if a letter is needed
• Recommendations sent directly
by recommender (addressed/stamped envelopes)

17. Teacher Recommendations
How many? Who?
• Teacher(s) who know the student best
as a learner in their class ‐ 2 max
• Junior year teacher(s)
• Core courses
(English/Math/Science/Social Studies/
World Language)
• Visual and Performing Arts ‐
supplemental recommendations

18. Timeline Fall (September through December) • Continue to visit schools
• Finalize college list
• Complete standardized testing
• Meet with your Counselor/teachers
• Study/stay on top of school work
• Complete applications

19. Timeline • Act on Early Decision
Winter (December through February)
• Act on Early Decision
• Submit financial aid forms (more info to come)
• Send mid‐year grades
Spring (February through May)
• Wait for admission decisions
• Keep options open
• Compare financial packages
• Make final decision (May 1)
CELEBRATE

20. College Rep Visits
• Dates and times of college visits are listed in announcements.
• Students go during lunch to visit reps.
• College reps set up in hallway outside counselors office on the way to cafeteria.

21. Colleges What Matters Most to
TOP ADMISSIONS FACTORS CONSIDERED BY COLLEGES:
• Strength of high school curriculum
• Overall grade point average
• Standardized test scores
OTHER FACTORS
• Extra‐curricular commitment
• Essay
• Letters of recommendation
• Demonstrated interest

22. Senioritis • Senior year courses and grades matter!
• Many schools defer decisions until the end of first semester… 1st semester grades matter!
• All offers of admissions are conditional upon successful completion of coursework
• Students MUST notify colleges of changes to their senior year courses
• Offers of admissions can and have been revoked for a decline in performance

23. Parent’s Responsibilities in the Application Process
• Provide Support
• Provide Guidance
• Provide Assistance
• Balance is the Key

24. Financial Aid Information
• All schools require the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) which is available on‐line in December. File the FAFSA at
• Families can complete an estimator now to determine eligibility for federal aid at

25. In addition to the FAFSA many private colleges require
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This image cannot currently be display ed.
Financial Aid Information
In addition to the FAFSA many private colleges require
the CSS Profile
NET PRICE CALCULATOR-
ALL colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website - keep in mind this is an estimate
Scholarship Night: Spring semester – watch announcements.

26. Types of Aid Grants Scholarships Loans
Direct Stafford Subsidized – based on financial need, no accrued interest.
Direct Stafford Unsubsidized-not based on fin. need, accrues interest.
Direct Plus (Parent)-accrues interest, higher interest rate.
Direct Plus (Graduate/Professional)
Work-Study – based on financial need

27. Application Fee Waivers
• Students on free and reduced lunch program are eligible for fee waivers
• Families for whom the application fees are a hardship may also be eligible for fee waivers
• Forms are available from your counselor
• Students should talk with counselors to discuss eligibility

28. Help for Parents Tasseltime website:
Mountain Home Public schools is researching the possibility of subscribing to the Tasseltime website to help students and parents with post-secondary decisions.
We need parent input on your opinion if it would be helpful. It would be available to parents, students, teachers, counselors, etc. in grades K-12 for full year. We would then see how helpful it has been before purchasing again for the following year.
Scholarships are available to students at member schools just for using the website.

29. Questions?