1. Wednesday, October 2 nd, 2013 6:30 p.m. - Cafeteria

2. Welcome Message Ms. Lisa S. Noffo Principal, M.A.S.T.@Homestead

3. Student Services Ms. Dana Baugh Guidance Counselor & Test Chairperson

4.  2.0 GPA  Passing score on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT)  Successful completion of each semester in required courses (5-Point Rule)  Successful completion of a least 24 credits and all required courses  Satisfactory class attendance: no more than ten unexcused (10) absences in an annual course or five (5) in a semester course  Satisfactory completion of both first and second semester senior art classes  Completion of a community service project of at least 150 hours Miami-Dade County Public School policy does not allow students to participate in the May/June graduation ceremony if they do not meet these requirements.

5. College Assistance Program Ms. Kristen Gomez CAP Advisor

6. There are over 3,000 colleges and universities in the United States. Keep the following in mind… → Location (Close to home or far away?) → Size (Under 3,000 students or over 30,000) → Private or Public Institutions → Programs of Study Offered → Athletic & Extracurricular Activities Available → Cost (Do not exclude any choice due to high cost…expensive schools may be able to offer more aid.)

7. 1. Talk with the CAP advisor (Ms. Gomez) and/or your counselor. Talk to instructors, family, friends, etc. about different colleges. Sign-up for admissions representative visits, field trips, and college fairs. 2. Take or apply to take the SAT I and/or ACT exams; determine if you need to take the SAT II exams. Fee waiver available if on free or reduced lunch. 3. Request information/applications from colleges. Put yourself on their mailing list. Look in Ms. Gomez’s office, Room 113, for college pamphlets. 4. Provide your counselor with a prospective list of colleges (3 to 5) that you are looking to apply to. No counselor recommendation/transcripts will be sent until you have provided this information. 5. Obtain teacher recommendations (academics/counselor) and provide teachers with addressed and stamped envelopes or invite them to submit their letters online. Do this very EARLY.

8. 6. Request your high school transcripts; allow at least 4 weeks before application deadline: How to Request High School Transcripts: I. State Public Universities/Colleges 1. Fill out transcript request form and give to our school registrar, Mrs. Yee. (Form can be found in Room 105) 2. Allow about a week for them to be printed and sealed. 3. Pick-up transcripts in bin in Room 105. II. Common App Schools Go to Commonapp.org and invite your counselor to electronically provide your transcripts, recommendations, andschool profile. III. Schools NOT on the Common App (In/Out of State) Provide the contact information and email address to your counselor for whom the transcript/recommendation should be sent. COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCEDURES Cont’d

9. 8.VERY IMPORTANT: It is your responsibility to check your status on each schools’ website to verify that all documents have been received and processed by each institution. **PLEASE NOTE** Every Senior has been provided with a folder that contains: college checklist, calendar, and step-by-step instructions. 9. Apply online for Bright Futures. Counselors will give instructions – NOT before December! Must have a minimum 3.0 GPA in core academic courses, not total GPA. Apply whether or not you think you qualify. COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCEDURES Cont’d

10. ACT Dates Test Date Registration Deadline Late Registration Deadline September 21August 23Aug. 24 – Sept. 6 October 26September 27Sept. 28 – Oct. 11 December 14November 8Nov. 9 – 22 February 8January 10January 11 – 24 April 12March 7March 8 – 21 June 14May 9May 10 - 23 SAT Dates Test Date Registration Deadline Late Registration Deadline October 5September 6September 20 November 2October 3October 18 December 7November 8November 22 January 25December 27January 10 March 8February 7February 21 May 3April 4April 18 June 7May 9May 23 SAT/ACT Test Dates and Deadlines

12. Carlos Albizu Univeristy Dade Medical Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising Florida Atlantic University Florida Gulf Coast University Florida Institute of Technology Florida International University Florida State University Johnson and Wales University Keiser University Miami Dade College Millennia Atlantic University Nova Southeastern University Pine Manor College San Ignacio College St. Thomas University University of Central Florida University of Miami University of South Florida ~~~~~~~ *MAST’s First Annual College Fair* October 11 th, 2013 12:45pm to 2:15pm

13. → Grants Money you don’t pay back → Loans Borrowed funds…must be repaid with interest → Work Study Work at college or university and get paid ***Our AIM → SCHOLARSHIPS!!***

14. → Free Application for Federal Student Aid → Available January 1 st of Senior Year → Current Family Income Tax Information is needed to complete form → Application Available Online at www.fafsa.ed.gov Financial Aid Night at MAST is scheduled for February 4, 2014 from 6:00-8:00 pm.

15. Florida Bright Futures Scholarships: Florida Academic Florida Medallion Florida Gold Seal For more information visit www.MyFloridaEducation.com/brfuture or call 1.888.827.2004www.MyFloridaEducation.com/brfuture or call 1.888.827.2004 Students may apply beginning December 1 st, 2013.

17.  Florida State University October 16 th (Priority Deadline) January 15 th (Regular Admissions)  University of Florida November 1 st  University of Central Florida January 1 st (Priority Deadline) May 1 st (Regular Admissions)  University of South Florida March 1 st Important! Universities will not accept late applications.

18.  www.fastweb.com www.fastweb.com  www.facts.org www.facts.org  www.findaid.org www.findaid.org  www.collegeboard.org www.collegeboard.org  www.collegequest.com www.collegequest.com  www.college-scholarships.com www.college-scholarships.com  www.collegescholarships.com www.collegescholarships.com  www.collegiatefunding.com www.collegiatefunding.com  www.theoldschool.org www.theoldschool.org  www.gocollege.com www.gocollege.com  www.fastaid.com www.fastaid.com  www.salliemae.com www.salliemae.com  www.scholarship-page.com www.scholarship-page.com  www.studentscholarships.org www.studentscholarships.org Scholarships www.collegeboard.org/bigfuture www.connect.edu College Search Engines

19. Colleges That Change Lives by Loren Pope Letting Go by Karen Levin Coburn & Madge Lawrence Treeger EMAILS!! Everything Ms. Gomez does and sends out is through EMAILS.

20. Student Activities Mrs. Lynda Weinstein Student Activities Director

21. Students who have accumulated: → 10 or more absences → 20 or more days tardy/days excused early Will not be permitted to participate, compete or attend extra-curricular activities. Pre-Arranges Absences → College Visit → Special Circumstances (Packet must be completed two (2) weeks prior to scheduled absence. See Ms. Cordero for packet and additional information.)

22. EventDatePrice*Location YearbookSeptember-May$45 - $65Ms. Orta – Room 214 Senior PicturesThrough OctoberVariesFox-Mar Cap & GownNovember$22English Classes AnnouncementsNovemberVariesActivities – Room 149 Senior PicnicSeptember$25Owaissa Bauer Park Grad BashApril 4th$142*Universal - Orlando PromApril 25th$85*The Biltmore Hotel – Coral Gables *Price may change dependent on fundraising activities

23. Q & A