1. SEAHOLM HIGH SCHOOL SEPTEMBER 10, 2015 WALT ROMANO, COUNSELING DEPARTMENT HEAD Senior Student & Parent Night

2. Program Highlights What Seniors Should Be Doing Now How Colleges Evaluate You When & How To Apply Parchment and The Common Application College Deadlines College and Career Center Financial Aid

3. What Should I Be Doing Now? Check transcript for accuracy – request through Parchment Continue college search process Visit college campuses Attendance, grades, and staying motivated are key senior year MEET WITH YOUR COUNSELOR- sign up for an appointment (schedules are posted near the counselor’s door)

4. How Colleges Evaluate You Academic record Rigor of curriculum Grade trends ACT/SAT scores Essays, if required Recommendations, if required Résumé, if required - special talents or abilities

5. When To Apply It’s never too early, begin now! Online applications on college sites or The Common Application Check application deadlines

6. Common Application Over 500 colleges & universities including U of M, Northwestern, Vanderbilt, Boston U, Boston College One application for all member institutions Some schools have additional supplements Apply online at www.commonapp.org Teacher / Counselor submit recs online

7. Components of the College Application FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS!!! Application  Personal information, intended major, activities/honors, senior schedule, etc.  Essay / Personal Statement * High School Transcripts via www.parchment.com or www.commonapp.org ACT / SAT Scores  www.actstudent.org  www.collegeboard.com Counselor Recommendation * by Oct. 1 for Mrs. Powrozek Teacher Recommendation * Application Fee * Not required by all colleges / universities

8. College Deadlines Early Decision – contractually binding -Usually due November 1 Early Action – not binding  Due date varies by college  i.e. U of M: Apply by Nov. 1 st hear by mid-late Dec Rolling Admission  Large window of time to apply  Decision made after application completed/reviewed Regular Decision –  Typically due Jan 1 or later  Decision first week in April

9. Community College? A good option if…  You are not ready to leave home  Money is a concern  Your career choice requires a certificate or associates degree  Your GPA is below a 2.5  “Fresh start”

10. College And Career Center Coordinator-Mrs. Judi Stahl  jstahl@birmingham.k12.mi.us  248-203-4253 College Rep visits  Sign up  Schedule posted Check the CCC website often Scholarship Information SAT/ACT Test Prep information A wealth of resources!

11. Financial Aid Complete FAFSA online in January, 2016 (www.fafsa.ed.gov) Financial Aid Night at Groves in December -College financial aid representative Scholarships -Need-based -Merit-based Loans Work/Study

12. Senior Year Timeline September ‘15 – January ‘16  Apply to college  Receive admissions decisions January ‘16 – February ‘17  Receive admissions decisions  Apply for financial aid March ’16 – April ’16  Receive admissions decisions  Receive financial aid packages from colleges By May 1, 2016 – weigh options and pay deposit to one college!

13. Senior Year Timeline cont. May and June 2016 2 nd -13 th AP Exams  17 th Senior Awards Night  25 th Senior Breakfast  26 th Senior Student Dinner  31 st -June 2 nd Senior Exams  June 3 rd Commencement Rehearsal  June 5 th Graduation!

14. Caseloads: 2015-16 seniors only A-De: Brian Flatter bflatter@birmingham.k12.mi.us 248-203-3758 Df-J: Kristy Fekaris kfekaris@birmingham.k12.mi.us 248-203-3756 K-Mo: Jenn Vanderveen jvanderveen@birmingham.k12.mi.us 248-203-3760 Mp-Si: Walt Romano wromano@birmingham.k12.mi.us 248-203-3757 Sj-Z: Rebecca Powrozek rpowrozek@birmingham.k12.mi.us 248-203-5759 http://www.birmingham.k12.mi.us/Schools/High+Schools/Seaholm/Counseling THANK YOU!!!