1. INTRODUCTIONS MHS COUNSELORS Brenda Lee (A-D) Tish Bates & Ann Nault (E-La) Kirstin Doughty (Le–P) Daniel Naegeli (Q– Z) Jamie Spiro, Intern

2. SENIOR CONFERENCES Individual meetings with counselor Review credits and graduation requirements Talk about goals and college choices Review timelines

3. THE INTERSECTION OF HEART AND ABILITY Work Military Technical College Community College College or University

4. DIRECT TRANSFER AGREEMENT Students who complete the Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA) or Associate in Science Transfer (AS-T) will generally have junior standing at the four-year institution and maximize the number of credits that will transfer. Students with fewer than 40 transferable credit will be required to submit ACT and SAT scores and the high school transcript will play an important role in the admission process. Minimum GPA required to transfer with the DTA or AS-T varies by institution.

5. WESTERN UNDERGRADUATE EXCHANGE 15 Member States Student pays 150% of receiving institution’s tuition 145 participating institutions Eligibility determined by individual institutions Check the website: www.wiche.edu/sep/wue

6. FINANCIAL AID PHILOSOPHY : A supplement to the family’s contribution GOAL : The formula applied will maintain consistency and equity for all students. TYPES : Scholarships, Grants, Loans, Tax Credits, Work Study

7. FINANCIAL AID FORMS FAFSA Free Application for Federal Student Aid Required to be considered for any type of federal and state aid Recommended that you complete the FAFSA even if you do not think you will qualify for assistance Important to apply as soon as possible after January 1, 2012 May be completed online www.fafsa.ed.gov www.fafsa.ed.gov Apply for your PIN now!

8. 2011 – 2012 PIN WEBSITE

9. FAFSA4caster and NET PRICE CALCULATORS Net Price Calculator will: Required on all college/university websites by the end of October 2011. Provides an early approximation of what a freshman could expect to pay. Based upon the basic formula of price of attendance minus grant aid. It is not an official application for financial aid or a final or binding determination of the institution’s cost. FAFSA4caster will: Help you understand your options for paying for college. Estimate eligibility for federal student aid.

10. CSS PROFILE Required by some colleges, universities (usually independent) and scholarship organizations as a supplement to the FAFSA. The only schools in Washington State requiring the PROFILE are Whitman College for all applicants and the University of Puget Sound for Early Decision applicants. Registration is $25.00 and $16.00 for each college or program The PROFILE may be submitted NOW and must be done online https://profileonline.collegeboard.com https://profileonline.collegeboard.com

11. FINANCIAL AID Colleges and universities believe that money should never come between a qualified student and his/her education. Carefully compare offers realizing that each school cannot provide the same offer. Do not try to negotiate between two offers – contact each school separately if there is additional information you feel is important to add to your application.

12. FINANCIAL AID: Where to go for Help Surf the web for information: www.fafsa.ed.gov http://www.finaid.org https://studentloans.gov Contact a Financial Aid Officer at any local College/University or Community College Call 1.800.4.FED.AID (1.800.433.3243) Attend Financial Aid Night on November 29 th @ 7:00 pm in the Black Box Theater

13. SCHOLARSHIPS How to search for scholarships Check with the admissions and financial aid offices at the colleges/universities the student is applying to as soon as possible Scholarships received by MHS are available in the Counseling Center as well as listed online on the MHS website under the Counseling Tab http://www.edmonds.wednet.edu/mdhs/site/default.asp Click on Counseling Click on College Click on Scholarships 2011 – 2012 Beware of scams – please call us if you are unsure! Other internet resources: www.thewashboard.org www.finaid.org/scholarships

14. COLLEGE VISITS Meet with college representatives in the Counseling Center. These representatives are usually the first persons to read MHS students’ applications This is a great opportunity to ask questions specific to the school!

15. THE APPLICATION Apply online from the institution’s website – please see us if access is an issue The Common Application – accepted by 456 institutions across the country (both private and public) Meet all deadlines! Know the admission options. Counselors can assist with any questions

16. TRANSCRIPTS Transcripts are sent at the time of application (either an official copy or reported on the application (UW and UC systems) Mid-year reports required by some colleges Transcript will be uploaded to the Common Application by counselor Transcript Request form required (with parent signature if under 18)

17. TESTING ACT English, Reading, Math and Science Optional essay Next test: December 10 Registration by 11.4 www.actstudent.org SAT Critical Reading, Math, Writing Next test: December 3 Registration by 11.8 sat.collegeboard.org/register

18. PERSONAL STATEMENTS AND ESSAYS Do proofread and then ask someone else to proofread for you Don’t make careless mistakes Do be able to say, “this sounds like me!” Write about what you know Be authentic (use personality) – show that you bring lively & exciting flavor to the classroom Keep the topic small so you can effectively deal with the material Write in the first person Do answer the question and demonstrate how well you think as well as how well you write Don’t be cynical, trite, pretentious Do be concise, specific, personal and honest Don’t repeat what is included in other parts of the application by making the essay a second resume Don’t try to be funny if that’s not your personality

19. COLLEGE RESPONSES Colleges may notify you immediately if you qualify for admission or as late as the week of April 1, 2012. All state of Washington public universities (with the exception of the University of Washington - Seattle) will begin notifying admitted students after December 1. The UW – Seattle will send admission decisions March 15 – 31, 2012. If you hear that your application is not complete – don’t panic! Come see your counselor with the correspondence you receive and we will help to fix.

20. MHS WEBSITE

21. YOUR DECISION The national reply date to notify that you intend to enroll is May 1, 2012 (postmark). You may deposit only at one college. Notify the chosen school that you are accepting the offer of financial aid. Mail the housing forms as soon as possible. Notify any schools which have offered admission that you have decided not to attend. Remember that all offers of admission are CONDITIONAL – stay focused second semester!

22. HELPFUL WEBSITES FINANCIAL AID www.fafsa.ed.gov www.finaid.org SCHOLARSHIPS www.edmonds.wednet.edu/mdhs/site/default.asp www.thewashboard.org www.finaid.org/scholarships scholarships.salliemae.com ATHLETICS www.ncaaclearinghouse.net

23. HELPFUL WEBSITES WESTERN UNDERGRADUATE EXCHANGE www.wiche.edu/sep/wue DIRECT TRANSFER AGREEMENT (WASHINGTON) http://www.sbctc.ctc.edu/transfer/default.asp