1. Class of 2017

2. A – DalGloria Zimmerman, Dept Chair/Counselor Dam – Hr Gordana Sormaz, Counselor Js – Milk Jessica Kus, Counselor Mill – Schr Ryan McSparin, Counselor Schs – Zz Roberta Garcia, Counselor

3. 88% of VHS Grads:  2-yr or 4-yr College/University 12% of VHS Grads:  Apprenticeships Programs  Military  Employment ALL Require PLANNING APPLICATIONS & VHS TRANSCRIPT

4.  Apprenticeship Contact Info for Northwest Indiana  Military (All Branches) Visit VHS During LUNCH;  Military Academy Applications – begin Junior Year More Selective; Budget Cuts

5. Junior Year:  Take SAT &/or ACT – most students take 2 tests  Research Online Colleges/Universities  Visit Colleges & Universities- summer, long weekends  Last Chance to IMPROVE GPA  Select RIGOROUS Classes for Senior Year

6.  SAT or ACT College Entrance Test REQUIRED - take in JUNIOR year or Early SENIOR year  ALL College Applications - On-Line Begin Sending in September! Nov. 1 Priority  COMMON APPLICATION – Purdue & most Private US Schools  Parchment.com Electronically Sends Transcripts FREE to Most Colleges

7.  Dec. 5 – Mville HS Register by Nov. 7  Jan. 23 – VU & Portage HS Register by Dec. 15  March 5 – Portage HS Register by Feb. 1  May 7 – Valpo HS Register by April 1  June 4 – Valpo HS Register by May 1 Register On-Line at: www.collegeboard.org www.collegeboard.org Cost: $54.50 Fee Waivers for Free/Reduced Lunch Students Send Scores to 4 Schools FREE when Registering!

8.  Dec. 12 – Mville HS Register by Nov. 6  Feb. 6 – Portage HS Register by January 8  April 9 – Valpo HS Register by March 4  June 11 – La P orte HS Register by May 6 Register Online at: www.actstudent.org www.actstudent.org Cost: $54.50 Fee Waivers for Students on Free/Reduced Lunch Send Scores FREE to 4 Schools when Registering!

9.  Valparaiso High School CEEB Code * : 153565  Scores Appear on VHS Transcript* *Purdue University, IU and other colleges require scores sent directly from SAT & ACT (student’s responsibility); this takes 4 – 8 weeks!!!!!  Send to 4 Schools FREE when Registering  Fee Charged per School after test taken  Colleges Encourage Sending ALL Scores to ALL Colleges/Universities

10.  All VHS Seniors Must Register  Transcripts Sent Electronically to Colleges in 2-4 days  FREE (to most schools)  Lifetime Account  INSTRUCTIONS on VHS Guidance Site

11.  G.P.A – based on 6 semesters  SAT/ACT Scores  Difficulty Level of HS Classes  Courses Relevant to Major Also – some Schools: Activities/Community Service

12.  CORE 40  Academic Honors  Technical Honors VHS GUIDANCE WEBSITE: Specific Classes, GPA & Other Requirements

13.  www.mycollegeboard.com/quickstart Utilize the one-stop college, career, test preparation and parent information site.  www.collegecosts.com www.collegecosts.com Provides individualized reports indicating how EFC (Expected Family Contribution) will impact financial aid consideration. Ongoing FREE consultation via phone and email.

14.  www.fafsa.gov – Fed Financial Aid www.fafsa.gov  On-Line Deadline March 10, 2017  Fastweb.com – National Scholarships  Triptocollege.com – Indiana College Info

15.  2.50 GPA Minimum Required at Graduation  Core 40 Diploma Minimum Required  Scholar Success Program/ScholarTrack REQUIRED Activities Each Year  File FAFSA by March 10 of Senior Year

16. - Local Scholarships posted On-Line in January ONLINE Applications Only Recipients Announced in May -Colleges/Universities Scholarships: based on GPA, SAT/ACT & other criteria - National Scholarships – fastweb.com

17.  DEADLINES vital:  If College has Nov. 1 Deadline, always send Everything before Oct. 15 to be certain!  Colleges/Universities do not forgive missing deadlines!

18.  Senior Meetings – with Guidance Counselors - Review Credits, DIPLOMA - Specific Info on Applications, Transcripts - Overview of Financial Aid/Scholarships  College Representatives Visit VHS - Seniors Can Attend Info Sessions - Must Sign Up in Advance  College Fairs – Valpo University in March; PNC in September

19.  Janice Whisler – Admissions Director Purdue University North Central Campus – Topic: Applications and Financial Aid – Representative from  Valparaiso University Admissions Department Topic: Private School Application Process