1. Preparing For College, The Path Presenter Willie Hines, Jr

2. Action Plan Senior Plan Narrow your list of colleges to 5-8 Review with counselor and obtain an application and financial aid form for each school Make a master calendar – Test dates, fees, deadlines, college application due dates, financial aid applications due dates, letters of recommendations, transcripts and high school deadlines for transcripts Junior Plan Take the PSAT Start your college search – Make a list of your abilities, preferences and personal qualities. – List things you may want to do in college – Read about majors and careers – Use a college search to find colleges with the right characteristics

3. Action Plans Senior Ask for letters of recommendations – Give each person a resume, a stamped and addressed envelope and any required forms Write application essays – Ask teachers, family or subject matter experts to read/review essays Junior Begin thinking about financial aid – Talk to your counselor about your college plans – Begin attending college nights and financial aid workshops Get ready for SAT – Prepare for SAT by taking full length practice exam – Schedule your spring testing – Utilize PSAT test to improve upon areas of weakness

4. Action Plan Seniors Decide whether to apply early action or early decision – November 1, for early admission, colleges may require test scores and applications in early November – Ask if your college offers an early estimate of financial aid elgibility Juniors Explore Colleges – Start visiting local colleges – Large, small, private, and public. Develop a list of 15-20 colleges that interest you. You can narrow it down later. Prepare for AP exams Plan ahead for the Summer and Senior year – Review your senior class schedule with your counselor – Challenge yourself with AP courses – Get a summer internship or job

5. Action Plans Senior Get financial aid information – Attend financial aid events in your area – Talk to your counselor about financial aid (state and local) – Use scholarship search engines to find grants and scholarships Review Application details – Most regular applications are due between January 1 and February 15. Keep copies of everything you send. – Have your high school send college transcripts and follow up by contacting the admissions office to make sure the transcript has been received. Apply for financial aid – You and your family should save this year’s pay stubs to estimate income on aid forms you will need next year – Submit your FAFSA as soon after January 1, 2012 as possible. Men who are 18 years of age are older are required to register with Selective Service – Many priority aid deadlines fall in February. Apply before the deadline, priority date. Keep a copy of everything for your records. Review acceptance letters – You should get acceptance letters and financial offers by mid-April – Compare awards form different colleges. Talk to the financial aid office at your college if you have any questions regarding the offer. – If you have not already, visit your final choice before accepting the offer or making the decision. Junior Keep up your momentum – Visit colleges. Take campus tours and, at colleges you are serious about. – Schedule interviews with admission officers – Make sure to bring a college checklist when you visit. – Request applications from the colleges you are planning to apply to. Check important dates, some colleges have early admissions or rolling admission.

6. Senior Action Plan Make your final choice by 1 May – You must tell every college of your acceptance or rejection of offers of admission or financial aid by 1 May. Send a deposit to the college of your choice. – Wait-listed? If you will enroll if accepted, tell the admission officer your intent and ask how to strengthen your application. Take the next step – Ask your high school to send the final transcript to your college – Start preparing for the year ahead

7. Counselor and the Application Process Working together to submit your college application – Counselor is there to assist you, make the application process easier and helping you to become more informed. Tips for making the most of your counselor’s time – Be responsible – Be organized – Be early – Be ready – Be positive

8. Selecting a College, Characteristics Type of college – 2yr, 4 yr, public, private, HBCU, Non-HBCU Size – Range of majors – Extracurricular activities – Amount of personal attention you will receive – Academic Facilities Majors Cost and Financial Aid Campus Life Sports and activities Housing and Special Programs (ex. Study abroad) Diversity Admission criteria Retention and Graduation Rate