Transcript College Planning 101

College Planning
IB College Counselor: Ms. Simmons
[email protected]
Fall of Senior Year
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Sign-up for Free & Reduced lunch.
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Register for SAT/ACT
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Current dates and registration deadlines are on the IB website
Meet with your School Counselor to discuss college choices.
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Sign up outside Mrs. Torpey’s office.
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Request/pick-up teacher letters of recommendation.
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Complete and submit all college applications (by Thanksgiving).
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Early Action: non-binding
Early Decision: binding
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Complete Bright Futures (December 1) and FAFSA (January 1).
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CONTINUE to challenge yourself – GRADES do matter Senior year!
ACT
To register for the ACT, students can complete their registration online at
www.actstudent.org . Remember to register for the Writing Section of the
exam as many colleges require it.
ACT Date
Registration Deadline
Late Registration
(additional fee required)
August 23, 2013
August 24 – September 6,
2013
September 27, 2013
September 28 – October 11,
2013
December 14, 2013
November 8, 2013
November 9-22, 2013
February 8, 2014
January 10, 2014
January 11-24, 2014
April 12, 2014
March 7, 2014
March 8-21, 2014
June 14, 2014
May 9, 2014
May 10-23, 2014
September 21, 2013
October 26, 2013
SAT
• To register for the SAT or SAT II Subject Tests, students can complete their
registration online at http://sat.collegeboard.org/home.
• Remember to register for the SAT Writing Section of the exam as many
colleges require it.
SAT Date
Registration Deadline
Late Registration
(additional fee required)
October 5, 2013
September 6, 2013
September 20, 2013
November 2, 2013
October 3, 2013
October 18, 2013
December 7, 2013
November 8, 2013
November 22, 2013
January 25, 2014
December 27, 2013
January 10, 2014
March 8, 2014
February 7, 2014
February 21, 2014
May 3, 2014
April 4, 2014
April 18, 2014
June 7, 2014
May 9, 2014
May 23, 2014
Where to Begin
• Make a list of schools that interest you
• Categorize them
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Safety School – my SAT/ACT scores & GPA are in the top 25th percentile accepted at the college
Target School – my SAT/ACT scores & GPA are in the middle 50 % (between 25th and 75th percentile)
accepted at the college
Reach School – my SAT/ACT scores & GPA are the lower 25th percentile accepted at the college. Note:
Ivy League Universities are considered DREAM schools, NOT REACH schools.
• Determine your areas of interest
– http://www.iseek.org/careers/clusterSurvey
• Determine cost of each school
• Compare Choices
College Name
Size:
Enrollment
Campus Size
Student/Faculty Ratio
Typical class size
Location:
Distance from Home
Setting
Environment:
Urban vs. Rural
Size of Nearest City
Co-ed/Single sexed
Religious Affiliation
Academics:
Major(s)
Minors/Pre-professional
Special Requirements
Accreditation
Admissions Requirements:
Deadlines
Tests Required
Average SAT/ACT
Average GPA
Credits Awarded for AP
Special Requirements
Retention and Placement:
% Returning Sophomores
% Graduate in 4/5 years
Career Placement Rate
Cost:
Tuition, Room and Board
Estimated Total Expenses
Application Fee
Financial Aid:
Deadlines
Forms Required
Percentage Receiving Aid
Scholarship Information
Housing:
Residence Hall Requirements
Availability
Types and Sizes
Deposit Amount/Due Date
Meal Plan Options:
Number of Locations Plan is Accepted
Dining Options
Requirements
Cost
Facilities:
Academic
Recreational
Other
Contact an Admissions Counselor
• All Schools want to see that you are
interested in them
• Ask them questions about their school
• Ask to speak with a current student
• Inquire about scholarship opportunities
The Application Process
Typical Application
• Who: Students complete all applications
• What: Undergraduate application for admissions
– Transcripts, resume, recommendations, essays, test scores…etc
• Where: Colleges/Universities admissions page or Common App
• When: Fall of Senior year
– Pay attention to deadlines, each school is different!
• Why: To attend a 4 year university
The Common App
• 2013-2014: paper application no longer available
• Counselor Information needed for Common App
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Alyssa Simmons
[email protected]
• Website:
– https://www.commonapp.org
• What schools are members:
– https://www.commonapp.org/Login#!PublicPages/AllMembers
– Over 500 colleges and universities are members
– Roughly 200 are exclusive members
Teacher Recommendation Letters
• Make sure to look at the college application and
be certain of the number of recommendations
needed
• Provide teachers with resume
• Ask teachers from core Junior year classes
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Science
English
Math
History
Transcripts
• Official Transcripts:
– Mid year and final may be requested by the school
• College and Universities look at
– GPA (weighted and un-weighted)
– Freshman – Junior Year Grades
• Did they fluctuate?
• Demonstrates what type of student you are
– How many Honors, AP, and IB courses
– Class Rank
– Graduating class size
What Are Colleges Looking For?
• Grades
– What types of courses are they taking
• Test Scores
– 20% of what schools consider
• Essays
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No such thing as an OPTIONAL question
Proof of mind at work
Express yourself well
Highlight skills that have been learned
• Teacher Recommendations
• Holistic Approach
Scholarships
• Apply Early!
• Scholarships are available for ALL high school grade levels.
• Where to find scholarships?
– There are scholarships for everything!
– List of Scholarships posted on the IB website under the college tab
– Local banks, clubs, companies, and community organizations
– http://studentaid.ed.gov/types/grants-scholarships/finding-scholarships
– College Financial aid webpages
• http://www.scholarships.com/financial-aid/college-scholarships/scholarships-bystate/florida-scholarships/
• www.fastweb.com
• www.collegenet.com/mach25/app
Scholarships
Questions to ask yourself when applying to scholarships
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What are the requirements and do I meet them?
How do I apply?
How does my scholarship effect my other financial aid?
What is the deadline? Do I have time complete the application?
Is this application something I am willing to do? Am I capable?
Is this scholarship state or college specific?
Plan ahead, be organized
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Make a list of scholarships that you are eligible for and want to apply
Organize the deadlines/decision release dates in calendar and check it
often!
Request alerts for approaching deadlines
Ask for recommendation letters in advance – DO NOT request
recommendation letters from your teacher the day before the deadline.
Finding Scholarships
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But be careful. Make sure scholarship information and offers you receive are
legitimate; and remember that you don't have to pay to find scholarships or other
financial aid.
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You can learn about scholarships in several ways,
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contacting the financial aid office at the school you plan to attend
checking information in a public library or online..
Try these free sources of information about scholarships:
– the financial aid office at a college or career school
– the U.S. Department of Labor’s FREE scholarship search tool federal agencies
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your state grant agency
your library’s reference section
foundations, religious or community organizations, local businesses, or civic groups
organizations (including professional associations) related to your field of interest
ethnicity-based organizations
your employer or your parents’ employers
Bright Futures
• http://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/SSFAD/bf/
• Students must apply during their last year in high school
(after December 1 and prior to graduation)
• Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS) – GPA/Test Scores
– 4 year school
• $77 per semester hour = 1,155 – 1,386 dollars a semester
• Florida Academic Scholars (FAS) – IB Diploma
– 4 year school • $103 per semester hour = 1,500 – 2,000 dollars a semester
How Do Colleges and
Universities Value the
IB Program
• Provides outstanding preparation for university work
• Earning college credits with passing scores on AP
and IB exams
• Scholarship opportunities
• Well rounded students
• Higher research and critical thinking skills
“A student’s high school courses and
curriculum is the most important factor in the
selection process complimented by all of the
other pieces in the application. We see the IB
as a challenging curriculum, with higher and
standard level courses as well as the TOK and
extended essay. As a staff, we respect IB very
much and see applicants from all over the
world in the IB curriculum. The community
service component of the IB is also highly
respected as students engage in outreach to
their communities as a part of their holistic
school requirements. We also note the
extended essay subject and the opportunity for
students to research and write in a way they
have not been challenged to do so before or in
other types of curriculums. The IB is a
wonderful program. ”
Jodi Robinson, Director of Admissions
College Visits to PHS
• Dates and Times will be posted on the IB
website, as well as outside the School
Counseling Office
– www.phsibsupport.org
Helpful Resources
Parent/Student Resource
Exploring College Options Student/Parent Session
• Duke, Georgetown, Harvard, Stanford, and Penn
– Hosting information session for perspective students and their
parents
• Where: Mobile, Alabama
– Wednesday, October 2, 7:30 p.m.
– 251-338-2000
– The Battle House Renaissance
26 North Royal Street
Mobile, AL 36602
• www.exploringcollegeoptions.org
– Register online
Fall 2013
Click on Alabama
Huntsville, AL
Birmingham, AL
Mobile, AL
Sunday, September 29, 7:30 pm Monday, September 30, 7:30 pm Wednesday, October 2, 7:30 pm
Huntsville Marriott
Birmingham Marriott
The Battle House Renaissance
5 Tranquility Base, Huntsville,
3590 Grandview Parkway,
Mobile Hotel & Spa
AL 35805
Birmingham, AL 35243
26 North Royal Street, Mobile,
Register
Register
AL 36602
Register
TRiO Educational Opportunity Center
• educationalopportunitycenter.org
• LaTonya Wesley, M.Ed.
– Student Services Specialist
– [email protected]
– 850-484-1961
Q and A
Contact Information
Alyssa Simmons: IB College Counselor
[email protected]
(850) 595–1500 ext. 292