Transcript Welcome Junior and Senior Parents!

Welcome Seniors and Parents!
Life After High School
Know the Facts:
• Research shows that it is not so much
which college you attend, but what you do
with your education while you are in
college that makes the difference
• It’s all about the fit – there are options out
there for everyone!
What are the options?
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Four Year University
Two Year College
Technical School
Military
Enter the Workforce
Do Your Research
• Explore career options
– Review ASVAB scores, visit their website
– Meet with Martha Hancock
• Talk with the experts!
– Visit websites
– Ask questions of admissions officers
– Find military recruiters
• Look at the end goal
– Lifetime earnings handout
Simplify College Planning
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Determine your route
Identify college characteristics
Research, compare, and visit
Apply for Admissions
Finance
Finalize
How do I get into a 4-year
college?
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English:
4 credits
Math:
3 credits (through advanced Algebra)
Soc. Studies: 3 credits
Science:
3 credits (Physics or Chemistry)
Foreign Lang: 2 credits (same language)
Fine Arts:
1 credit
Community and Technical Colleges
• Open Enrollment
• Research the variety of options
– Private or Public
– Ability to transfer
– Part time or Full time
• Placement Test
– Avoid taking remedial courses
• More and more people are choosing
Community Colleges
What are colleges looking for?
The Holistic Review…
Washington Trends
• Strong emphasis on rigor of curriculum
• Shift from letters of recommendation to
personal insight essays
• The Admission Index is no longer used as
an admission determinant
• Chemistry or physics is required for the
Class of 2013
• Across the state, colleges are seeing record
enrollment
Comprehensive Review
• Colleges review your transcript and your
personal statement
• Four key words for what they are looking
for:
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Patterns
Potential
Initiative
Involvement
What should be in a personal
statement?
• Aspects of your life that are not apparent
from your academic record
– Paint a picture of who you are as a person
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Character defining moment
Cultural awareness
Challenges faced
Leadership
Community Service
Write to succeed
• If your personal statement is mechanical,
they will forget you!
– The first line needs to grab the reader’s
attention
• Use academic vocabulary
• Edit, Edit, Edit
• Be insightful – start looking at yourself,
who you are and how you got here, right
now!
What should I do now?
Take Action
• All colleges are emphasizing the same
suggestion for all application deadlines-
The sooner the better!
Start Now!
• If you haven’t already taken the ACT or SAT-sign
up NOW!
• Finalize a list of schools where you plan to apply
• Research application requirements and deadlines
• Start completing college applications online
• Request an official transcript through the high
school website
October and November
• Have teachers, counselors, parents review
your personal statements
• Make sure letters of recommendation are
completed
• Finish all college applications
• Visit colleges of choice
• Begin the Financial Aid Process by signing
up for a PIN for the FAFSA
• Call colleges for application updates
College Application Deadlines
Priority vs. Application
• Focus on Priority Deadlines
• This provides priority to financial aid,
scholarships, registration, housing, and
special programs
Deadlines
• University of Washington
– Application: December 1, 2011
– Notification Period: March 15-31
• Washington State University
– Application: January 31, 2012
– Notification: Beginning November 1 - Spring
• Western Washington University
– Application: January 31, 2012
– Notification: As early as November 1, 2011.
• Private and out of state colleges-check with
admissions offices
College Testing
Difference between ACT and
SAT
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ACT
Curriculum based
1-36 scoring range
Writing portion
optional
Content areas:
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Reading
English
Science
Math
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SAT
Critical Reasoning/
Problem Solving
800-2400 scoring
range
Writing portion
required
Content areas:
– Critical Reasoning
– Mathematics
– Writing
How do I score well on these tests?
• Academic rigor
• Read, Read, Read
• Test Preparation
– Study booklets
– Question of the day
• Eliminate your wrong answers
– ACT-you can guess; SAT-do not guess
• Get a good night’s sleep and eat breakfast
How much will this cost?
Application Fees
• Public baccalaureate colleges in Washington
charge an application fee ranging from $50 - $75
• ACT and SAT test fees range from $30-$50
• Many colleges will waive the fee with a letter
from the student’s school counselor verifying
‘free or reduced’ lunch status
• Fee waivers are available for testing for those
students who qualify
College Costs (estimated)
• University of Washington
– Tuition/Fees: $10,346 Housing: $9,771
• Washington State University
– Tuition/Fees: $9,886 Housing: $9,662
• Western Washington University
– Tuition/Fees: $6,486 Housing: $8,755
• Eastern Washington University
– Tuition/Fees: $7,240 Housing: $7,080
• Pacific Lutheran University
– Tuition/Fees: $30,950 Housing: $10,335
• University of Portland
– Tuition/Fees: $33,640 Housing: $9,966
Financial Aid
• State Deadline
• Washington - Check with your financial
aid administrator.
• You can apply for a PIN now
– http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
• Watch for scams! (.coms)
FAFSA Deadlines
• College Deadline
Each college may have a different
deadline. Check with the college(s) you are
interested in attending. You may also want
to ask your college about their definition of
an application deadline - whether it is the
date they receive your FAFSA, or the date
your FAFSA is processed.
Scholarships
• Apply for local/community scholarships in
the library
• College applications often double as a
scholarship application
• www.fastweb.com and
www.thewashboard.org are helpful sites
for scholarship searches
• Be aware of scams, don’t ever pay for
information
Final Suggestions
Get exposure and experience
• Contact schools, talk to admissions
advisors
• Visit campus, stay overnight, attend classes
• Meet with an advisor in your desired field
of study
• Ask lots of questions!
• Watch for college High School visits
National Fall College Fair
• National College Fair (Portland, OR)
– November 6, 2011 1 to 5 p.m.
– November 7, 2011 9:00 a.m. to noon
Good Luck!
• Let us help
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Information about choosing the right fit
Contacting admissions offices
Applications and recommendations
Anything else you need
Have fun and enjoy the ride!
Web Resources
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www.ultimatemoneyskills.com/collegefunding
www.fastweb.com
www.thewashboard.org
www.mycollegeoptions.org
www.checkoutacollege.com