1. It’s Your Senior Year 2006-2007

2. When Do I Apply For College? is “Application” Month is “Application” Month Some schools have “priority” deadlines Some schools have “priority” deadlines

3. What Is A Priority Deadline? It’s a deadline It’s a deadline Very few spaces will be left after this date

4. Should I Retake The ACT? Check profiles of students at “choice” schools Check profiles of students at “choice” schools Test given at PHS on 10/28/06 Test given at PHS on 10/28/06 Registration deadline is 9/22/06 Registration deadline is 9/22/06 PHS code: 143-560 PHS code: 143-560

5. How Do I Apply To College? Colleges prefer online applications Colleges prefer online applications The Guidance Office will mail or email a transcript and profile sheet The Guidance Office will mail or email a transcript and profile sheet

6. Where Are Applications? Online applications are usually found under “prospective students” on the college website Online applications are usually found under “prospective students” on the college website Use www.phs-il.org to link to websites of state universities and IVCC Use www.phs-il.org to link to websites of state universities and IVCCwww.phs-il.org Paper applications in Guidance Office Paper applications in Guidance Office

7. What Is A Transcript? A record of your grades and credits A record of your grades and credits Your highest ACT will be included Your highest ACT will be included

8. More Transcript Information The “Authorization to Release Transcripts” Form must be signed by your parents before any transcript can be sent The “Authorization to Release Transcripts” Form must be signed by your parents before any transcript can be sent You must sign/initial for each transcript that you want sent or emailed You must sign/initial for each transcript that you want sent or emailed

9. What Is A Profile Sheet? A document sent with your transcript A document sent with your transcript Gives each college valuable information about PHS and the community Gives each college valuable information about PHS and the community

10. A Letter of Recommendation Sometimes required Sometimes required Create a list of your accomplishments Create a list of your accomplishments Allow 1-2 week timeframe Allow 1-2 week timeframe Address and stamp envelope Address and stamp envelope

11. Do You Need An Essay? Take time to demonstrate your uniqueness Take time to demonstrate your uniqueness Express why you are a good match for a particular college Express why you are a good match for a particular college Do your research Do your research

12. Have You Made A Campus Visit? Call or email for an appointment Call or email for an appointment Colleges have Open House dates Colleges have Open House dates

13. IVCC Applicants IVCC Tuition Guarantee Intent Forms are due September 22, 2006 IVCC Tuition Guarantee Intent Forms are due September 22, 2006 Check for eligibility Check for eligibility Watch all future deadlines Watch all future deadlines

14. IVCC Facts Open admissions Open admissions 1 page applications in Guidance Office 1 page applications in Guidance Office Sign for a transcript Sign for a transcript

15. IVCC Placement Testing Some ACT scores exempt you from placement tests Some ACT scores exempt you from placement tests Math 24 Math 24 English 22 English 22 Reading 23 Reading 23 ACT 24

16. IVCC Placement Testing Make an appointment Make an appointment Friday 4:00 T 815-224-0542

17. Paying For College Consider All Resources Consider All Resources Parents Parents Savings Savings Summer earnings Summer earnings Financial Aid Financial Aid

18. Your Budget Tuition and fees Tuition and fees Room and Board Room and Board Books Books Transportation Transportation

19. Financial Aid File Faster: Get a PIN number at www.pin.ed.gov before filing File Faster: Get a PIN number at www.pin.ed.gov before filing www.pin.ed.gov After 1/1/07 file the FAFSA www.fafsa.ed.gov After 1/1/07 file the FAFSA www.fafsa.ed.gov www.fafsa.ed.gov Use a FAFSA worksheet (Guidance Office) to help Use a FAFSA worksheet (Guidance Office) to help

20. The Student Aid Report (SAR) The Student Aid Report (SAR) Will receive in mail 2-3 weeks after filing Will receive in mail 2-3 weeks after filing Make any necessary corrections Pay attention to EFC (Expected Family Contribution)

21. Scholarships Register at www.fastweb.com Register at www.fastweb.comwww.fastweb.com Apply for local scholarships Apply for local scholarships Listen to daily announcements

22. More On Financial Aid Read financial aid award letters from each college Read financial aid award letters from each college Communicate your final decisions on choice of attendance and financial aid with each college Communicate your final decisions on choice of attendance and financial aid with each college

23. Remember Communicate with your PHS counselor several times throughout your senior year. Communicate with your PHS counselor several times throughout your senior year.