1. Senior Things

2. Senior Timeline College Application Period begins Fall of Senior Year ▫3–6 Schools ▫College Visits Re-Take ACT? Financial Aid (FAFSA) – After Jan 1 Final Decision - May of Senior Year

3. Post-High School Planning ▫Community College ▫4 Year College or University ▫Technical or Vocational School ▫Armed Forces ▫Work Field

4. College Selection “Fit” – One Size Does Not Fit All Published Rankings or “Best” lists are not important if you do not value the criteria they are using to rank. Think of It Like a Research Assignment or Buying a New Pair of Shoes – Shop Around

5. College Selection Match Between ▫Academic Record= Admission Requirements ▫Academic Interests = Degree Programs Available ▫Personality = Campus Culture ▫Long-term Goals = Placement Record Identify Your Personal Priorities ▫Public or Private ▫Large or Small ▫In-State or Out-of-State ▫Religious Affiliation? ▫Varsity Athletic Teams?

6. Research College Navigator or CollegeBoard.orgCollege Navigator CollegeBoard.org

7. College Navigator – Admission Stats

8. College Navigator – Retention / Grad Rates

9. Affordability?

10. But Tuition Can Be Misleading…

11. Hints for College Visits Make an appointment (Fridays?) through the college’s admissions office Get a pre-arranged absence Ask the tour guide questions ▫What do students enjoy the most/least? ▫Is there adequate parking? ▫Are there optional paths within my major? ▫What is the average debt at graduation?

12. Hints for College Visits Make Comparisons College 1College 2College 3College 4 Major Offered Housing Options % accepted

13. Heartland College Approximately 40% of PTHS seniors go to Heartland each year. Open enrollment with placement testing Both Associates and Associates in Applied Science degrees Some programs (healthcare field) have competitive admissions

14. Additional (Optional ACT Dates) **Online Registration and Payment is Required at www.actstudent.org Offered at PTHS

15. Scholarships / Financial Aid Do not let cost be the most important factor in selecting colleges at this time Attend the Financial Aid night in October File Free Application for Federal Student Aid (http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ NOT.com!)http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ Research both Need Based and Merit Based Scholarships  Fastweb.com – National Scholarships Fastweb.com  Guidance Office Website – For Local Scholarships Guidance Office Website  Visit the Colleges’ Financial Aid page to determine their scholarships procedures Use Financial Aid Estimator on findaid.org and/or on individual college sites.findaid.org

16. 3 Things Seniors Could Work on Tonight College Applications Setting Up College Visits Scholarships