Transcript WELCOME SENIORS! - Adams County School District 50

WELCOME SENIORS!
Post-Secondary
Planning:
The Time is NOW
First things first. . .
Graduation Requirements
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4 credits (4 years)
3 credits (3 years)
3 credits (3 years)
3 credits (3 years)
.5 credits (1 sem.)
1 credits (2 classes)
.5 credits (1 sem.)
2 credits (5 classes)
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22 Total Credits
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Language Arts
Math
Science
Social Studies
Health
P. E.
Computer Science
Practical/Fine Arts
On-line courses available now
Unsure? See you counselor!!
Who Is My Counselor??!
Academy
ACE
GBA
HBM
VPA
LAA
Counselor
Ms. Bolton
Ms. Piper
Ms. Nakata
Mr. Evans
Ms. Diercks
What are my options
for after high school??
Explore Your Choices
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Military
Service – Americorps
Apprenticeship/Work
Travel
College/University
2 year or 4 year?
Public or Private?
Start Talking. . .
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Parents
Teachers
Family Members
Counselor
College Representatives
Military Representatives
Friends
The Perfect School
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Doesn’t exist
Many students transfer after their 1st year
You are the consumer
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Shop for the best fit!
Find a school that fits your ideals, standards,
beliefs, budget, and abilities.
“A match to be made not a prize to be won”
How do I begin this process?
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Determine your priorities—use check list
Remember parents may have different
priorities from students
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Cost
Size
Majors
Location
Selectivity
Public/Private
Visit, visit, visit college campuses!!
Other things to look for
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Religious Affiliation
Social Life
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Residential vs. Commuter Campus
Fraternities and Sororities
% that graduate in 5 years
Diversity of student body
Scholarship opportunities
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Academic
Need based
Community Colleges
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Many Advantages:
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Smaller class sizes
Less expensive
Can live at home
If you’re not quite ready to go to a 4 year college
Flexible schedules, night, weekend classes
Beware Proprietary Schools!!!
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(Everest, Heritage, Westwood, DeVry)
If you’re unsure, ask!
What are colleges looking for?
What are colleges looking for?
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Academic Record – GPA, class rank, improvement, difficulty of
classes
Testing – ACT or SAT with writing
Extracurricular Activities
– Work
– Community service
Letters of Recommendation
Honors and Awards
Essays
Interviews
Commitment/Passion
Leadership
Determining “My Profile”
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Factors in your “Profile”
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G.P.A.
Class Rank
ACT or SAT Test Scores
Rigor of Courses
Activities/ Unusual Talent
Essays
Recommendations
Comparing Your Profile
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Safety – (realistic)
Your profile is SIGNIFICANTLY stronger than the typical
freshman (60-90% chance of admission)
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Target – (reasonable)
Your profile is similar to the typical freshman
(30-60% chance of admission)
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Reach – (reach)
Your profile is not as strong as the typical freshman
(less than 30% chance of admission)
TESTING
Don’t wait to retake!!
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ACT – Next test December 10, 2011
Register by November 4, 2011
$49.50 with writing
Register at www.actstudent.org
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SAT – Next test November 5, 2011
Register by October 7, 2011
$49
Register at www.collegeboard.com
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Community College Placement Tests
No Testing
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www.fairtest.org
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A list of schools who do not require tests to be
considered for admission or who are test optional
Over 750 schools
Community Colleges
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Do not require ACT/SAT
Will use Accuplacer or similar
Fee Waivers
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Available for ACT, SAT, SAT Subject Tests,
and College Applications
Available for students on Free and Reduced
lunch program
Check with your counselor
Letters of Recommendation
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Check applications carefully to see if you need one
Choose a teacher, coach, administrator,
counselor, who knows you really well
Request 2 -3 weeks prior to when you need them
Always provide a complete list of schools to which
you are applying; always provide stamped
addressed envelopes
Send a thank you note
Essays/Personal Statement
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Don’t make up hardships
Demonstrate Character
Convey what they wouldn’t glean from your
application alone
Have others read it for feedback
(not just your parent)
Where do I find applications?
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College websites
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Counseling Office
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Apply online
Download paper
Get on mailing list
Limited number of paper
Colleges prefer that you apply on line
College Application Steps
1. Complete application – paper or on-line
2. Attach or send application fee (check, money
order, credit card)
3. Make appointment with your counselor
4. Request teacher or counselor recommendations at
least 3 weeks in advance of due dates
5. Make sure ACT or SAT scores are sent to the
college directly from ACT or SAT when you test or
indicate they be sent on your transcript request
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Metro State College Representative
Every Wednesday in WHS Library
From 8am-3pm
Help with college applications, scholarships,
essays, financial aid, anything related to
college!
October is
College Application Month!!
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You are responsible
for meeting deadlines
and submitting
complete applications!
College Searches on the Web
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Collegeincolorado.org
Colleges That Change Lives Ctcl.com
Local College Fairs
collegefairsdenver.org
College View collegeview.com
Peterson Education Petersons.com
(Quick test-prep searches are
available on this site including ACT,
ASVAB, SAT,
MCAT, TOEFL, firefighter and many,
many more!)
College Search Collegesurfing.com
College Search
Collegeincolorado.org
College/Major Search/Test Prep
Princetonreview.com
College/Major Search
Connection.naviance.com
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Access.bridges.com (Site ID 0099411,
Password: Canyon)
College Answer Collegeanswer.com
College Board On-line
Collegeboard.com
College Campus Tours
Campustours.com
College Planning C3apply.org
College Search Embark.com
Go College Search Gocollege.com
How to Choose a College
Usnews.com (click on “education”)
Links to all Universities
Universities.com
NACAC Nacac.com
Study Skills & Careers Kaplan.com
How Do I Pay for College??!
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Parents/own money
Scholarships
Financial Aid
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Grants
Work Study
Loans
College Opportunity Fund (COF)
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Collegeincolorado.org
Things to Know….
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Two-thirds of college students graduate with
some debt, the average being $20,000
Your chances of getting a full-ride scholarship
are slim: 1 in 50,000
Scholarships are not just for Athletes and Brains
Scholarships are not just for financially needy
families
Scholarships
Time = Money!
If you are awarded a $1000 scholarship and it took
you 6 hours to complete the application you just
earned $166 an hour
Where do I look for Scholarships?
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College currently attending/will be attending
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Within the college: Financial Aid office, Academic Depts.
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Internet
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Library
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Employer (Tuition Re-imbursement, Loan Re-payment)
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Local Businesses: Target, Walmart, Burger King, McDonald’s
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Church/Congregation
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High School Counselor
Free Scholarship Searches
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www.MeritAid.com
www.CollegeinColorado.org
www.Fastweb.com
www.brokescholar.com
www.collegeanswer.com
www.princetonreview.com
www.nationalmerit.org
www.Apps.collegeboard.com
www.collegenet.com
www.scholarships.com
www.collegescholarships.com
www.scholarship-page.com
www.finaid.org
www.free-4u.com
www.supercollege.com
www.college-scholarships.com
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www.scholarships-4u.com
www.freschinfo.com
www.collegeplan.org
www.gocollege.com
www.nmfonline.org (National Medical Fellows)
www.careersandcolleges.com
www.edvisors.com
www.collegenet.com
www.colorado.edu/finaid/scholarships.html (for CU
Boulder)
www.hispanicfund.org
www.chci.org
www.hsf.net
www.laef.org/scholarships.html
http://wue.wiche.edu (Student Exchange Program in
the western US)
FAFSA
FREE Application for Federal Student Aid
www.fafsa.gov
January 1st, 2012
Can now auto-fill from tax information
Grants
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Grants are awarded based on a student’s
financial need
As long as you follow the guidelines of the
Grants you will not be required to repay this
money
Need is determined by the Department of
Education by using information off the Free
Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Loans
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To apply for a student loan, student MUST file
FAFSA
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Loans must be repaid
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Repayment begins after student either
graduates or is no longer enrolled in a
minimum of 6 credit hours.
Work Study
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To qualify, student MUST apply for FAFSA and indicate their
interest on the application. Award is based on results from
processed FAFSA
Purpose
– Flexible schedule with employer
– Employment on-campus
– Regular paychecks
– Work between 10 and 20 hours a week
Must be enrolled in 6 credits and attend work-study orientation
when awarded
Questions?