1. Welcome to Ponderosa High School The Final Countdown SENIORS 2015

2. Ponderosa High School Counseling Department Staff Laurie PortmanA – E303-387-4103 Laurie PortmanA – E303-387-4103 Amy LarsenF – K303-387-4018 Amy LarsenF – K303-387-4018 Renee BreurL – P303-387-4017 Renee BreurL – P303-387-4017 Christy KiddQ - Z 303-387-4019 Christy KiddQ - Z 303-387-4019 Peggy Laverty, Registrar303-387-4016 Peggy Laverty, Registrar303-387-4016 Sandy Gress, Secretary303-387-4032 Sandy Gress, Secretary303-387-4032

3. Counseling Office SAT, ACT, PLAN, PSAT Testing Information SAT, ACT, PLAN, PSAT Testing Information Information about Test Prep Opportunities Information about Test Prep Opportunities Naviance Family Connection, Post Grad Research Naviance Family Connection, Post Grad Research Military & Vocational Opportunities Military & Vocational Opportunities College Visits College Visits Academic Guidance and Support Academic Guidance and Support Social/Emotional Support Social/Emotional Support

4. Options After High School Technical/Vocational Schools Technical/Vocational Schools –Catalogs and occupational information are available. Community/Junior Colleges Community/Junior Colleges – There are 12 in Colorado on 15 separate campuses. Four Year Colleges/Universities Four Year Colleges/Universities –Liberal Arts Colleges –Specialized Colleges –Universities

5. Options After High School Continued... Work – Sometimes a good option while you determine your goals for the future. Community colleges have a large adult population who went to work immediately out of high school, then entered community college to pursue his/her occupation. Work – Sometimes a good option while you determine your goals for the future. Community colleges have a large adult population who went to work immediately out of high school, then entered community college to pursue his/her occupation. Military – A minimum commitment of two years or career status is available in all branches of the military. Military recruiters are here during lunches several times each month. Military – A minimum commitment of two years or career status is available in all branches of the military. Military recruiters are here during lunches several times each month. Apprentice Programs – Most large companies have training programs for their employees which provide the opportunity to earn while you learn. Apprentice Programs – Most large companies have training programs for their employees which provide the opportunity to earn while you learn.

6. Military A minimum 2 year commitment A minimum 2 year commitment Military careers available Military careers available Recruiters visit PHS during lunch twice a month Recruiters visit PHS during lunch twice a month On-the-job training On-the-job training Scholarships for college after service Scholarships for college after service ROTC Programs available for most branches ROTC Programs available for most branches A minimum 2 year commitment A minimum 2 year commitment Military careers available Military careers available Recruiters visit PHS during lunch twice a month Recruiters visit PHS during lunch twice a month On-the-job training On-the-job training Scholarships for college after service Scholarships for college after service ROTC Programs available for most branches ROTC Programs available for most branches All males must register with the SELECTIVE SERVICE when they turn 18 years old. Registration is the law and young men who do not register may find themselves permanently ineligible for student loans, grants, job training and government jobs, and U.S. citizenship for male immigrants. PHS students may register online at: www.sssgov/regist.htm www.sssgov/regist.htm !

7. Higher Education Admissions Requirements ACADEMIC AREA HS GRADUATES 2010+ English 4 credits Mathematics Natural/Physical Sciences (2 units must be lab based) 3 credits Social Sciences (At least 1 unit of U.S. or world history) 3 credits Foreign Language 1 credits Academic Electives* 2 credits Total 17 credits

8. CCHE Index

9. What Type of Degree Do You Want? BACHELORS DEGREE BACHELORS DEGREE –4 or more years of study at a college or university.  2 years general education  2 years of courses that complement your major during junior and senior year ASSOCIATES DEGREE ASSOCIATES DEGREE –Complete up to 2 years of general education at a community college and later transfer to a four year institution or –Combine some general education with vocational training for a specific career CERTIFICATE PROGRAM CERTIFICATE PROGRAM –Typically for job-oriented students seeking shorter training to prepare to enter the workforce. Credit hours vary depending on the study, and can range from one semester to two years.

10. Top Ten Things Colleges Look for in a High School Student 1. Grades that represent strong effort and an upward trend 2. Solid scores on standardized tests (SAT, ACT) 3. A high school curriculum that challenges a student 4. Passionate involvement in a few activities, demonstrating leadership and initiative 5. Community service showing evidence of being a “contributor”

11. Top Ten Things Colleges Look for in a High School Student 6. Work or out-of-school experiences (including summer activities) that illustrate responsibility, dedication, and development of areas of interest 7. A well-written essay that provides insight into the student’s unique personality, values and goals 8. Letters of recommendation from teachers and guidance counselors that give evidence of integrity, special skill, and positive character traits 9. Supplementary recommendations by adults who have had significant direct contact with the student 10. Anything special that makes the student stand out from the rest of the applicants!

12. Time to Get Started!

13. The Application Process Complete your college application online Complete your college application online Keep a copy Keep a copy Common Application vs. College Application Common Application vs. College Application Complete a Transcript Request Form in Naviance (*Will not be fulfilled unless Naviance tasks are complete!) Complete a Transcript Request Form in Naviance (*Will not be fulfilled unless Naviance tasks are complete!) Allow 5 school days for transcript requests to be processed Allow 5 school days for transcript requests to be processed Pay attention to College Application Deadlines! Pay attention to College Application Deadlines!

14. NAVIANCE https://connections.naviance.com/ponderosa Students and parents can use Naviance to gather valuable information throughout the college search and application process. Use Naviance to access information about: Students and parents can use Naviance to gather valuable information throughout the college search and application process. Use Naviance to access information about: –Scholarships –College Searches –College Visits –NCAA –Letters of recommendation –Myers Briggs Personality Profile –Career Exploration –Links to crucial college/career websites

15. Colleges Your former college research is under colleges I am thinking about As you find new colleges add them here Now…click on colleges I’m applying to

16. Colleges I’m Applying To Once you apply to a school go to: colleges I’m thinking about check the box next to the school you applied to then click move to application list colleges will be moved to colleges I am applying to

17. Transcript Requests  Go to www.phsmustrangs.comwww.phsmustrangs.com  Click Departments  Click on Counseling  Click Transcript Requests  Use the help document located under Counseling Resources Requesting a High School Transcript  Log into Naviance

18.  Click on Colleges  Make sure you have Colleges listed under colleges I’m Applying to.  Allow 5 school days for completion  The Registrar will notify you when they have been sent or if you need to pick them up. Transcript Requests

19. My Planner Assignments to complete Brag Sheet Update resume Update game plan

20. My Letter of Brag Sheet in Naviance About Me click on Brag Sheet Answer each question thoroughly in order to provide your teachers with adequate information.

21. Things YOU need to know: DO use a professional/appropriate email address when applying to colleges. DO use a professional/appropriate email address when applying to colleges. –Make sure your email address is current in Naviance. DO begin requesting teacher/counselor recommendations as soon as you have completed the Brag Sheet in Naviance. DO begin requesting teacher/counselor recommendations as soon as you have completed the Brag Sheet in Naviance. DO write thank you letters to letter writers DO write thank you letters to letter writers DO plan to apply early during the fall of your senior year. Decide if you want to apply Early Decision (binding) or Early Action (non-binding). DO plan to apply early during the fall of your senior year. Decide if you want to apply Early Decision (binding) or Early Action (non-binding).

22. 22 NCAA Overview NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse Commonly referred to as “The Clearinghouse” Commonly referred to as “The Clearinghouse” An Organization that works with the NCAA to determine a student’s eligibility for athletic participation in college sports during their first year of college enrollment An Organization that works with the NCAA to determine a student’s eligibility for athletic participation in college sports during their first year of college enrollment Follows NCAA bylaws and regulations in analyzing and processing a student’s high school academic records, ACT or SAT scores and key information about amateurism participation. Follows NCAA bylaws and regulations in analyzing and processing a student’s high school academic records, ACT or SAT scores and key information about amateurism participation. Be sure to register with NCAA during your junior year! Information is available on the PHS Counseling page under NCAA NCAA Clearinghouse – www.eligibilitycenter.org www.eligibilitycenter.org CoreCourseGPA.com

23. Scholarships and Financial Aid Information

24. Terms to Know… Pell Grant Pell Grant SEOG (Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant) SEOG (Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant) Work Study Work Study Perkins Loan Perkins Loan Stafford Loan Stafford Loan Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students Private Private Grants & Scholarships Grants & Scholarships Education Loans Education Loans Western Undergraduate Exchange Western Undergraduate Exchange

25. Financial Aid Explore each opportunity for financial aid: Scholarships are awarded to students who meet certain criteria. They do not have to be paid pack. There are hundreds – and you may qualify for some! Scholarships are awarded to students who meet certain criteria. They do not have to be paid pack. There are hundreds – and you may qualify for some! Grants are awarded to students who have high financial need. They do not have to be paid back. Grants are awarded to students who have high financial need. They do not have to be paid back. Work-study positions offer you a way to earn money to put toward your education while you are attending college and may or may not depend on your financial need. Work-study positions offer you a way to earn money to put toward your education while you are attending college and may or may not depend on your financial need. Loans (to you or your parents) are funds you borrow that you must pay back. Loans (to you or your parents) are funds you borrow that you must pay back. Tax credits and savings are additional incentives for education Tax credits and savings are additional incentives for education College Opportunity Fund – the State of Colorado will provide a stipend to eligible undergraduate students when you attend a participating Colorado public or private institution. College Opportunity Fund – the State of Colorado will provide a stipend to eligible undergraduate students when you attend a participating Colorado public or private institution.

26. FAFSA What is the FAFSA? What is the FAFSA? –The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, FAFSA, is used to apply for federal financial aid. Where can I find more information? Where can I find more information? –Call 1-800-4FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) –Visit www.ed.gov/studentaid or www.students.gov www.ed.gov/studentaid www.students.govwww.ed.gov/studentaid www.students.gov College Goal Sunday Colorado College Goal Sunday Colorado –February 8, 2015, 1-3 pm –Locations across the state-check website –An opportunity for students and parents to get free help in filling out the FAFSA

27. Communication Communication with Seniors will occur in the following ways: –Naviance – check for updates –Counseling office board –School Announcements –Rolling Marquis –PHS Parent Newsletter emailed weekly –Email and Monthly Counselor Newsletter –Web Site www.phsmustangs.com www.phsmustangs.comwww.phsmustangs.com

28. Graduation Status Checks Your student’s counselor has been having an individual conference with each senior. Bring all of your college questions to this meeting. Have all required NAVIANCE information in the task bar, completed. Credit checks are completed during September, October, November.

29. Important Dates

30. Community Service Deadline for 20 hours of community service is May 1, 2015

31. 2014-15 Testing Dates ACT Registration Registration Test Date Deadline September 13, 2014 August 8, 2014 October 25, 2014 September 19, 2014 December 13, 2014 November 7, 2014 February 7, 2015 January 9, 2015 April 18, 2015 March 13, 2015 June 13, 2015 May 8, 2015 SAT Registration Registration Test Date Deadline October 11, 2014September 12, 2014 November 8, 2014October 9, 2014 December 6, 2014November 6, 2014 January 24, 2015December 29, 2014 March 14, 2015February 13, 2015 May 2, 2015 April 6, 2015 June 6, 2015May 8, 2015

32. Financial Aid Night @ PHS November 13, 2014 6pm to 7pm Ponderosa High School Auditorium

33. College Fairs of Greater Denver Inc. October 11, 2014 October 16, 2014 10:00 am to 12:30 pm 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Mountain Vista H.S. JFK High School

34. GRADUATION May 19, 2015 9 am Sports Authority Stadium