1. Senior Parent Post High School Planning Night Counseling Center Columbus North High School August 30, 2011

2. Counseling Center Staff –Mrs. Sandy Freshour, Counselor, Grades 10 & 12 (A-K) –Mrs. Julie Speer, Counselor, Grades 10 & 12( L-Z) –Mrs. LuAnn Davis, Counselor, Grades 9 & 11 –Mrs. Karmen Riley Counselor, Grades 9 & 11 –Mrs. Rhonda Murray, Registrar –Mrs. Robin Hilber, Secretarial Assistant –Mrs. Jenny Weir, Assistant –Mr. Rick Thomas, Counseling Director-Special Education Mrs. Teresa Weichman, C4 counselor

3. STEP 1: Getting Ready to Graduate SENIOR MEETINGS –Will Check Transcripts/Credits Current Schedule Diploma Requirements –Senior Data Sheet –Answer Questions – How to proceed –Give Information –Pg #1 in hand-outs

4. STEP 1: Getting Ready to Graduate GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS  Diploma requirements-Check now to make sure all requirements are being met in some way  Pg #3 in handouts  Success on ECAs –Algebra I & English 10 (Graduation Qualifying Exams)  Jan Matchette-Testing Coordinator matchettej@bcsc.k12.in.us matchettej@bcsc.k12.in.us  Senior Project Pride-Lisa Cooley Pg # 4 in handout  Project-based/community component  Paper written in 1 st semester English class information  Consult CNHS website for in-depth info

5. Step 1: Getting Ready to Graduate  Grades are posted on Parent Portal in real time  Report cards & progress reports are posted & will not be mailed unless requested by calling the Counseling Center  Help you senior stay aware of progress

6. Columbus North High School BULL DOG BYTES Published by the Counseling Center August 2011 Pg # 5-6 in Handout Counselors meeting with seniors Graduation requirements SAT – ACT test dates Post Secondary Planning Applying to College Financial Aid Information Other

7. Senior Planning Calendar IMPORTANT DATES FOR SENIOR YEAR Pg # 7 in handouts

8. STEP 2: Finding the Right College COLLEGE INFORMATION –NAVIANCE-access from the North website under Counseling Center (students given accounts at junior meeting) Pg # 8 –Mail from Colleges –Counseling Center Library –Internet sites: www.collegeboard.com www.learnmoreindiana.org www.triptocollege.org www.collegelink.com www.collegeview.com Pg # 9 in handouts

9. STEP 2: Finding the Right College COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVE VISTING NORTH Listings on NAVIANCE, in Show Me the Money (Pg #10-11 in handouts) and on the Counseling Center bulletin board Obtain a pass from Mrs. Hilber List of questions for the representative Parents are welcome to attend by calling the counseling center in advance 376-4292

10. STEP 2: Finding the Right College COLLEGE VISTS –Visit Colleges on-line –Visit as many campuses as possible Three days senior year Make Appointment with the College Admission Office Complete College Visit form from the Dean’s Office at least one week prior to the visit –Attend Regional College Fair at East September 29, 2011, 11am-12:30pm East High School Parents Welcome! –Pg # 12-13 in handout

11. STEP 2: Finding the Right College FINDING THE RIGHT FIT (What Colleges Look For) –Types of classes taken –Grade point average –Class rank –Test scores –Extra-curricular and personal activities –Geographical and racial balance –Music auditions, Art portfolio, Other –COLLEGES DIFFER!!!!- CONTACT THE COLLEGE

12. STEP 3: Taking the Right Tests SAT & ACT –Registration- on line (or hard copy) –Take in Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec –Cost –Scoring –Testing Calendar: Pg # 14 handouts –ACT/SAT comparison: Pg # 15 handouts

13. STEP 3: Taking the Right Test ADDITIONAL EXAMS –AP Tests (colleges vary on how they use the AP test scores, contact specific college) –Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) –Other Required Exams-Check with your Post- Secondary Institution (College Placement, SAT Subject Tests, CLEP for college credit)

14. STEP 4: Applying to College COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS (pg # 16-19 in handout)  Find Applications –College’s website Many colleges prefer online applications Create an account (write down user name & password) Print the application checklist –Counseling Center Most in-state schools College Handbook (addresses for out of state colleges) NAVIANCE

15. STEP 4: Applying to Colleges COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS  Apply Early –Rule of Thumb: Apply by November 1 st –Check each college deadline carefully! –Print out required forms & submit  Follow Directions –Each college has own unique process, most have a checklist –Do your homework! Requirements & application components vary. –Check to see if Student Essay or Recommendation Letters are required. Tips on Pg # 17 of handout

16. STEP 4: Applying to College COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS  Be responsible Know deadlines Keep in contact with your counselor Do legwork and necessary research Update your resume  Be organized College folder, application folder, & chart to keep track Add the college to your NAVIANCE account for “colleges I am applying to” Mark deadlines on calendar Ask for required recommendations in September & write essays well ahead the deadline

17. STEP 4: Applying to College Working with your Counselor –Most colleges require a counselor component –We advise you to be early Counselor recommendations, teacher recommendations, transcripts, etc. should be submitted at least 2 weeks prior to deadline along with a Recommendation Information Sheet (Pg # 17 of handout), resume or list of activities Counselors and support staff complete requests on first-come, first- serve basis If you are not submitting your application electronically or the counselor component is being mailed, leave time for US Postal Service to deliver your materials Allow extra time for the college’s internal mail service to process your application as well Use the CNHS College Application Checklist on Pg # 19 of your handout when turning in materials to the counseling office Be sure to follow up

18. STEP 4: Applying to College HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT  Required by most every college  Must be sent directly from school  Hardcopy or electronically  Transcript has:  Grades  Class Rank  Grade Point Average - GPA  Type of Classes  Test Scores --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Request in Counseling Office or online Allow three school days for transcript Three transcripts are free, after $1.00 each Your packet has an example: Pg # 20 handouts

19. STEP 4: Applying to College E-TRANSCRIPT  Sign up available on NAVIANCE –Send a transcript to any college in the nation for free! –Indiana colleges prefer use of e-transcript –Can access 24 hours a day –Semester Grades, GPA (on 12 & 4 point scale), Class Rank, Current Classes, Standardized Test Scores –http://www.bcsc.k12.in.us/northhs/site/default.asphttp://www.bcsc.k12.in.us/northhs/site/default.asp click on “Counseling Center” tab

20. STEP 5: Finding Funding for College TIPS –Students & Parents work together Communicate deadlines Understanding student role in securing $$ for college –Get the Numbers Right Research the actual cost of attending each college on your list (see www.collegeboard.com)www.collegeboard.com Tuition, fees, room & board, Books & supplies, estimated personal expenses, transportation expenses

21. STEP 5: Finding Funding for College TIPS –Know your Resources SHOW ME THE MONEY (Pg # 10-11 of handout) Internet (be aware of websites for profit) Learn More Indiana (www.learnmoreindiana.org)www.learnmoreindiana.org –Apply for Scholarships Start with the Financial Aid Office at the colleges you want to attend Check college websites for scholarship apps Subscribe to Show Me the Money

22. STEP 5: Finding Funding for College –COMPLETE THE FAFSA Free Application for Federal Student Aid Received by Federal Processor: March 10 th 2012

23. STEP 5: Finding Funding for College FINANCIAL AID MEETING WEDNESDAY JANUARY 12, 2012 7:00 p.m. North Auditorium

24. STEP 5: Finding Funding For College SOURCES OF FINANCIAL AID –Aid Comes From: Federal Government State Aid College Private –Types of Aid: loans scholarships grants work study

25. Special Guest: Heritage Fund Miranda Cross 376-7772

26. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION EARLY COLLEGE OPTION  Earn college credit while still in high school  Ivy Tech Community College or IUPUC, general education classes  Dual credit at a reduced cost  Experience post-secondary work on a college campus while still in high school  Contact the Counseling Center for more information.

27. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION NCAA & NAIA ELIGIBILITY  Division I and II college athletics  www.eligibilitycenter.org. www.eligibilitycenter.org  Fill out “Domestic Release Form”  Transcript Release Form  Sliding scale: Grade point average vs. SAT or ACT scores  16 core classes- must be NCAA approved!  NAIA  www.playnaia.org www.playnaia.org  Check the website!

28. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Additional Post Secondary Options  Internships  Co-ops  Apprenticeships  Military: contact recruiters for info  Certificate Programs  Adult Education

29. PROGRAM EVALUATION  Tonight’s Program  Senior Bulldog Bytes  Show-Me-The-Money: sign-up form

30. Counseling Center Contact Information OFFICE: 376-4292 Sandy Freshour, Counselor freshours@bcsc.k12.in.us Julie Speer, Counselor speerj@bcsc.k12.in.us Rick Thomas, Director of Counseling thomasr@bcsc.k12.in.us Robin Hilber (for “Show Me the Money”) hilberr@bcsc.k12.in.us

31. Good Luck 2012 Graduates and Parents!