1. College Information for Parents Union High School Counseling Dept.

2. We would love your feeback!! Please email Dena Hooser regarding the contents of this powerpoint: dena.hooser@evergreenps.orgdena.hooser@evergreenps.org We would love to hear whether or not you find it helpful. Also, if you have needs that aren’t addressed, we would love your feedback as we work to enhance our counseling program and communication with students and parents

3. College Admissions

4. Four Year Admission Requirements WA - College Academic Distribution Requirements (CADRs) English: 4 years Math: 3+ years (through 3A-3B Int. Algebra)  Math or Math Based Science course Sr. Year  ( if not through Pre-Cal by the end of Junior year) Social Studies: 3 years Science: 2-3 years  (Physics, Biology, and Chemistry recommended) World Language: 2+ years (same language) Fine Arts: 1 year CADRs: 3 each year of HS

5. Comprehensive Review Quality of Courses in High School Grade Point Average (GPA) Admissions Test Scores (ACT or SAT) Personal Statement Other factors

6. The Personal Statement Personal statement is a chance to highlight elements of your life that are NOT on your transcript. Include if the application requests it.  General themes:  Leadership/Group Contributions  Experience that shaped character  Experience that increased cultural awareness  A challenge that you have overcome  Experiences that developed a passion/creativity

7. Deadlines... Get Organized Focus on priority deadlines ◦ this provides priority to financial aid, scholarships, registration, housing, and special programs Application Deadlines (Public Washington): UW - University of Washington - Dec. 1, 2014 WSU - Washington State University - Jan. 31, 2015 WWU - Western Washington University - Jan. 31, 2015 Evergreen State College – Feb. 1, 2015 EWU - Eastern Washington University – Feb. 15, 2015 CWU - Central Washington University – March 1, 2015 Private and out of state colleges-check with admissions office

8. Simplify College Planning Steps to take: Take an interest inventory (Career Cruising) Develop a list of careers you might like Find colleges that can help you to reach that career Create a list of 5-10 schools you like and try to visit Apply for admissions Apply for financial aid Finalize your plans and select a school

9. 2 Year – Community College www.checkoutacollege.com 1. Apply for financial aid (FAFSA) January 2. Complete Application (online) February 3. Take Compass (Placement) Test Feb-April 1. Reading 2. Writing 3. Math 4. Complete an orientation April-May 5. Register for classes May

10. College Testing

11. ACT vs. SAT ACT Curriculum based 1-36 scoring range Writing portion optional Not penalized for guessing Content areas:  Reading  English  Science  Math Neither is needed if you plan to go to a community college, though some scholarship applications will still want a score. SAT Critical reasoning/problem solving 800-2400 scoring range Writing portion required Penalized for guessing Content areas:  Critical Reading  Mathematics  Writing

12. Test Preparation Academic rigor Reading, Reading, Reading Test preparation publications  Test Prep Booklets / Free online tests  Vocabulary flash cards  question of the day (Sign up online)  Companies like Princeton Review & Einsteinwise Eliminate wrong answers  ACT you can guess; SAT don’t guess Don’t spend too much time on one question  There are three levels of questions Get a good night’s sleep

13. Upcoming Test Dates: SAT ACT November 8 th ( Late – Oct 28th ) December 6 th ( Nov. 6 th ) December 13 th ( Nov. 7 th ) January 24 th ( Dec. 29 th ) February 7 th (Jan. 9 th ) Do not wait for your test scores to apply, unless specifically stated in the application process. Indicate the universities you want the scores to be sent directly to.

14. Paying for College

15. College Costs (Approximate) University of Washington  Tuition/Fees: $12,400  Housing: $10,800 Washington State University  Tuition/Fees: $12,300  Housing: $11,300 Western Washington University  Tuition/Fees: $8,950  Housing: $10,100 Gonzaga University  Tuition/Fees: $36,600  Housing: $9,900 Pacific Lutheran University  Tuition/Fees: $36,500  Housing: $10,300 University of Oregon  Tuition/Fees: $10,000 + $18-20,000 for out of state costs  Housing: $12,500

16. Financial Aid Based solely on a family’s financial situation, independent of grades. Used at community colleges, many tech schools, and 4 year colleges/universities. It is free to apply for, using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)  opens on 1/1/2015. Can apply for PIN now (http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/)http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ Watch for scams (.coms) Be aware of financial aid deadlines...

17. 4 F’s F ile F AFSA for F ree F ebruary 1 st

18. Scholarships Don’t count yourself out. Apply! 1. Local and community 2. Family affiliations (church, parents’ employment, etc) 3. Institutional (each school will have their own scholarships) 4. State - Create profile at WashBoard.org 5. National Scholarships listed on district website – “Parents” tab Be aware of scams, don’t pay for information

19. Western Undergraduate Exchange Residents of WICHE states are eligible to request a reduced tuition rate of 150% of resident tuition at participating two- and four-year college programs outside of their home state. Member States: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and the U.S. Pacific territories Check database for eligibility: GPA, major, deadline, etc. http://wiche.edu/wue

20. Resources and Upcoming Events

21. Other Helpful Websites/Resources www.fafsa.ed.gov (financial aid site) www.fafsa.ed.gov www.evergreenps.org (scholarships listed under “Parents” tab) www.evergreenps.org www.fastweb.com (scholarship search) www.fastweb.com www.cappex.com (scholarship search) www.cappex.com www.TheWashBoard.org (WA scholarship search) www.TheWashBoard.org www.collegeboard.com (SAT testing/college info) www.collegeboard.com www.act.org (ACT testing/college info) www.act.org www.careercruising.com (college search/career info) user name: unionhs – password: titans www.careercruising.com www.youniversitytv.com (virtual tours) www.youniversitytv.com www.bigfuture.org (college search and process info) www.bigfuture.org

22. What you need from staff at Union: Letters of Recommendation and School Reports  Polite request 10+ school days prior to deadline & follow up within a couple of days of deadline.  Give the recommender relevant info.  Only request documents/letters/school forms for opportunities you are really applying for!  Follow up with a thank you. Transcripts  Request on ½ sheet form with home-base secretary  Allow 48 hours

23. Titan Financial Aid Night Financial aid information presented by WSU-V Staff Wednesday: October 29 th, 2014 6:00 pm UHS Auditorium

24. National College Fair - Portland Free event, open to the public Go to: www.nacacnet.org for more info (including which schools will be there) and to pre-registerwww.nacacnet.org Oregon Convention Center November 2 nd 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm (Sunday) November 3 rd 9:00 am -12:00 pm (Monday)

25. Scholarship 101 Financial Aid Night Free event open to the community Useful regardless of where a student is applying Wednesday: Nov. 12 th, 2014 at 6:00 pm OR Saturday: Dec. 13 th, 2014 at 1:00 pm At WSU-V

26. Washington College Fair Clark College Wednesday, November 19 th 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm Gaiser Student Center

27. Clark Financial Aid Night Wednesday: December 10 th, 2014 6:00 pm Clark College Gaiser Hall

28. College Goal Washington! Free event open to the community Useful regardless of where a student is applying Provides direct assistance from college professionals and volunteers for completing the FAFSA May also include other college workshops Saturday: January 24, 2015 11:00 am – 1:00 pm Clark College Gaiser Student Center

29. Campus Visits/Preview Days Contact schools -- find out about campus tours and special preview events Meet with college advisor/field of study Stay on campus if possible Attend a class Ask plenty of questions

30. Questions? Thank you for attending tonight!