1. Bremen High School

2. Have plans in place to earn all necessary credits – Pay attention to senior credit check letters Take PSAE on April 23 & 24 – Seniors who MET or EXCEEDED on both Reading and Math are Final Exam Exempt – Look on page 1 under “Your Performance Level” Pass Constitution Test – Listen to announcements for Fall makeup: October 29- November 1 Register for Selective Service – Not eligible for financial aid if not registered

3.  Beginning next week!  All Seniors will be seen by their counselors to discuss future options  Things to bring to the interview  Transcripts with corrections  List of questions and concerns  Current plan for beyond Bremen

4.  Must submit proof of post-secondary plans  Bring all documentation to Project Manager, Ms. Rauch, in PPS by May 1 st !  Acceptance letters  Semester schedule or COMPASS results  Signed military contract  Letter from employer  Senior Signing Day – May 9

5.  ACT Test  Required to apply to 4-year college  Next test is October 27; registration deadline is September 21  Register online with a credit card or waiver at www.actstudent.orgwww.actstudent.org  If you qualify for free lunch, you may obtain a waiver from your counselor  COMPASS – college placement test recommended for seniors  Wednesday, October 24, at Bremen from 8 am-12 pm  Sign up in PPS by Friday, September 21; you will be called down to complete a SSC application  Value–college planning information, free class  ASVAB – required for the military  Tuesday, October 16, and 2 nd semester (TBA)  Signup information will be announced at a later date

6.  College Campus Visits - allowed two per year  Must be taken before April 1 st  Follow planned-absence procedure outlined on p. 16 of the Student/Parent Handbook  College Rep. Visits at Bremen - allowed three per semester without counselor approval  Sign up outside PPS office

7.  All students are encouraged to apply online  Target application deadline: November 1 st  Read all parts of application carefully!  If you qualify for free lunch, you may qualify for an application fee waiver  Read waiver directions carefully  Give counselor at least one week to complete his/her part  Letters of recommendation are not necessary unless requested by the school

8.  All parts completed correctly  Correct postage  Application fees  Application waivers (if qualify)  Complete signatures  Test scores  Accepted off of Bremen transcript?  Transcripts  Request from Registrar, Mrs. Innocenti  Form located in PPS  Must provide complete mailing address  Free until July 1 st ; then $5.00  U. of I. – Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR)

9. College & Career Center Staffed beginning next week Counselor assistance available during study halls Monday-Thursday Ask any teacher for a pass; scan in for attend. AAC – need grade clearance to obtain a pass Monthly workshops on timely topics during Connection Periods

10.  The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a voluntary association of about 1200 colleges and universities, athletic conferences and sports organizations devoted to the sound administration of intercollegiate athletics. Their rules help regulate college sports programs  Athletes must meet NCAA requirements prior to admission to college for Division 1 and Division 2 schools  Refer to student/athlete handbook in CCC  If you are an athlete, it is your responsibility to tell your counselor

11.  NCAA requirements:  ACT score sent to NCAA from ACT  Choose 9999 as one of your college and scholarship choices when registering for ACT  Register online with a credit card ($70) at http://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/common/ http://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/common/  See your counselor for specifics regarding classes, GPA, test scores, etc.

12.  Students are responsible for their own scholarships  Follow same guidelines for completing college applications, essays, letters of recommendation, etc.  The more time and effort you put into the process, the greater your rewards will be.  Pay close attention to deadlines!!!!

13.  Bremen Student Services website  CCC Workshops  Colleges and universities  Parent employers  Your employer  Relatives  Unions (credit and job)  Church  Insurance companies  Military  State and local representatives  Internet websites  Fraternities/sororities  Local Chamber of Commerce  Private, no cost to you, agencies such as  Educational Talent Search  Ada S. McKinley  Target Hope  Public/college libraries  Bookstores  Magazines

14.  Obtain an application in the CCC or apply online  Prepare a packet including the application and all required materials  Allow 2 weeks for others (counselor, teacher, coach, etc.) to complete their parts and return to you  Give a completed Letter of Recommendation Form to every recommender  Affix proper postage and address properly  Mail by posted deadline

15.  All money is first come, first served  If you apply late, you may not get money even if you qualify  Meet with your counselor to make an appt. to meet with the ISAC rep. in CCC on Thursdays during study hall (begins next week)  Attend Financial Aid Night at Bremen on November 28  Come to FAFSA Workshops in CCC  Register now and get your PIN  All students need a PIN to apply for financial aid  Go to www.fafsa.ed.govwww.fafsa.ed.gov

16.  Wednesday, September 26 th, 5:00-7:30 p.m.  South Suburban College Physical Fitness Athletic Center  Visit with more than 120 universities, colleges, technical schools, apprenticeship programs and military branches from across the country  Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) will be present to assist with financial planning

17.  Take a look at yourself  Examine your values  Think about your level of motivation  Explore your interests  Gather Information  CCC  College view books and publications  College campus visits/fairs/open houses  Published guidebooks  Internet  Local/college libraries

18.  Investigate different types of schools  Universities  Liberal arts colleges  Career schools  Historically black colleges and universities  Community/junior colleges  Women’s/men’s colleges  Do your research  Use websites, printed materials, personal interviews  Be sure to visit the campuses of your top choices

19.  PRIORITY FILING: earliest application deadline (Nov. 1); may give student an advantage where space is limited; must have all documents turned in by deadline; used at Univ. of Ill. at Urbana.  REGULAR DECISION: largest selection pool; competing for admission and financial aid left after early admission decisions have been made (applications usually due by Feb. 1)  ROLLING ADMISSIONS: no application deadline; schools accept applications until all spots are filled  WAIT LIST: “We wish we could have you attend our school, but there isn’t any room at this time.” Some schools’ waiting lists have 500 students. Keep applying to other schools!  ACCEPTANCE DEADLINE: the national enrollment confirmation day is May 1; all freshman must commit to the school they will attend by this date  DEFERRED ADMISSION: requesting to postpone college for one year; may have a fee involved

20.  GPA/Rigor of Curriculum  ACT or SAT scores  Class Rank  Application Essays  Extracurricular Activities  Recommendations (if requested)  Interviews  Intangibles

21.  Be original  Start early  Relate to college program  Don’t recycle a used essay  Answer the question(s)  Talk about:  Activities  Travel  Favorite sayings  Accomplishments  Shortcomings  Personal traits  Attend a CCC Workshop for guided assistance

22.  Complete college applications on time  Visit potential colleges and/or college fairs  Research financial aid options  Research and apply for scholarships, FAFSA, etc.  Request final transcripts  Keep grades up throughout senior year  Work together to make post-secondary plans  Be honest and open about financial concerns

23. Come to PPS if you have any questions! Please use the Bremen website often!