1. The College Process

2. Starting on the College Process The Application Financial Aid

3. The College Process Getting Started  Now is the time  Online College Search(Do not worry about price at this stage) www.collegeboard.org  Private or Public  4 year or 2 year  Location  Major  Percent accepted, SAT and ACT scores, hobbies, interests, etc..  School websites www.ctcl.com Colleges That Change Lives www.ctcl.com http://www.ucan-network.org/ UCAN (Private Colleges) http://www.ucan-network.org/ http://www.collegeportraits.org/ College Portraits 300 Public Colleges and Universities. http://www.collegeportraits.org/ http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ College Navigator http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ Create a list

17. The College Process Schools of Interest  Average GPA of admitted students  SAT/ACT of Middle 50% of First-Year Students  Pros and Cons of each campus visited/researched  Don’t worry about price SAT and/or ACT (May/June) Make an appointment with Gordy Waite:  ask questions, get more ideas for schools of interest, differences in schools, explore personal interests, discuss majors, etc. Brainstorm personal interests.  What might be a focus of study for you? Remember: Nothing is set in stone

18. The College Process Campus Visits Sign up for scheduled tours Attend information sessions Have prepared questions Visit with an admissions counselor Visit with a department head Sit in on a class Visit with a coach What do you like/dislike about the campus? What are the students like? Ask students questions Do you see yourself fitting in with this student body? Keep notes/pick up a brochure/newspaper Have lunch on campus Pick a variety of campuses to visit What type of campus feels right to you?

19. The College Process Remainder of Junior Year Web Search Explore each “college of interest” website in depth Plan a trip to visit campuses Take SAT and/or ACT (May and/or June) Review and continue to build resume Study for SAT/ACT retake Sign up for rigorous senior year classes Use lists to solidify choices  Rank your “schools of interest” Reach Schools (2-3) Solid Choice (2-3) Safety (2-3)

20. Application Process

21. Summer after Junior Year/Fall of Senior Year  Solidify your choices to 6-8 schools  Are you an athlete? NCAA? Make Spreadsheet  Include: Application deadline Financial aid deadline Recommendations needed Is an interview required? Resume Essay

22. Application Process Early Action vs. Early Decision vs. Regular Decision (What is right for you?) Early Action (EA)  Non-Binding  OK to apply to many schools EA  Strong Competition to Select Schools Early Decision (ED)  Binding (you have to go if accepted)  Can only apply to one school ED  Possibility of Poor Financial Aid  Might get a closer look  Contract must be signed by parent and guidance counselor  Discussion with university advised Regular Decision (RD)  Most common form of applying  Can apply to multiple schools

23. Application Process Apply on-line Fall of Senior Year  Do not make mistakes  Make or print check-off sheet  Know deadlines!! The Application – 3 Parts 1. Academic Section  Transcripts  SAT/ACT Scores (order early from testing agency)  Senior Class Schedule

24. Application Process 2. Personal Section  Essay (This is important) This is all about you  Who are you?  What helped you become you?  How do you think?  Are you a good writer? Be Specific – Narrow Focus Brainstorm, Write, Proof, Correct, Rewrite Ask for help every step of the way

25. Application Process 3. Personal Section  Essays (Common Application Samples)  1. Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.  2. Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you.  3. Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.

26. Application Process  Essays cont.:  4. Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you, and explain that influence.  5. A range of academic interests, personal perspectives, and life experiences adds much to the educational mix. Given your personal background, describe an experience that illustrates what you would bring to the diversity in a college community, or an encounter that demonstrated the importance of diversity to you.  6. Topic of your choice.

27. Application Process 2. Personal Section  Recommendations Teachers  Math or Science  English or Social Studies  Ask Early Two week notice (minimum) Ask politely (Don’t assume) Be prepared with resume Ask if an addressed envelope will be useful Counselor  Choosing a College (can fill out junior year)  Parent Input Form  Resume

28. Application Process 3. Supplemental Section  CD  Writing  Sports Resume/Highlight film  Highlight DVD of Drama Production  Talent  Other recommendations Academic, Personal, Supplemental paints a picture of the whole student!

29. Application Process Solidify Choices Make Spreadsheet Know Deadlines Three Part Application  Academic  Personal  Supplemental

30. Financial Aid

31. File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid ( FAFSA) You do not have to pay for this it is FREE Submit the FAFSA early (after January 1 of senior year)  Know college financial aid deadlines Required for federal and state aid  Used by public and private colleges  Online FAFSA — www.fafsa.ed.gov/www.fafsa.ed.gov/ www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov/ (Start now) www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov/ Faster and easier Preferred method  Paper FAFSA Extremely limited For use with special situations only

32. Financial Aid OK to estimate income  Base on prior year’s tax information FAFSA determines your expected family contribution (EFC)  Amount family expected to contribute toward college costs  Lower EFC more likely to receive gift aid  Money in students name Anyone can qualify for certain types of financial aid

33. Financial Aid Types of Aid Available  Gift aid Doesn’t have to be paid back  Work-study Earn while you learn  Loans Must be repaid, including interest

34. Financial Aid Gift Aid/Grants  Federal Pell Grants  Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant  Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG)  State grants  College Bound Scholarship  School grants may be available

35. Financial Aid Gift Aid/Scholarships  Usually merit-based  Awarded for: Academic achievement Talent or skill Community service Leadership/school activities Parent affiliation with a club or organization Financial need

36. Financial Aid Other Aid Forms Institutional aid forms CSS Financial Aid PROFILE ®  Non-federal aid  Considers other income and expenses  Required at some private colleges  Can be completed in the fall  Filing fees Ask what the college requires

37. Financial Aid Finding Scholarships  High school counselor  Community Scholarships (Spring)  College you plan to attend  Public library  Free online resources Fast Web: www.fastweb.comwww.fastweb.com College Board: www.collegeboard.comwww.collegeboard.com Washboard.com; www.washboard.orgwww.washboard.org

38. Financial Aid FAFSA – January 1 senior year  FAFSA4caster (start now) Gift Aid, Work-study, Loans CSS Profile (Private Colleges) Scholarships  University  High School  Community (Spring)  On-line

39. The College Process What we know  Visit Colleges  Start making lists  Know Deadlines Application Financial Aid  Organize Applications Know what is needed for each application  Apply in fall of senior year  FAFSA (Open January 1) apply early  CSS Profile (Private Schools)  Community Scholarships

40. The College Process Websites of Interest  http://www.collegeboard.org/ http://www.collegeboard.org/  http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/  http://www.mymajors.com/ http://www.mymajors.com/  http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/ http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/  http://studentsreviews.com/ http://studentsreviews.com/  http://www.petersons.com/ http://www.petersons.com/  http://www.fafsa.ed.gov http://www.fafsa.ed.gov  http://www.fastweb.com http://www.fastweb.com  http://www.washboard.org http://www.washboard.org Questions?