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

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

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)

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

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

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 Teacher / Counselor submit recs online

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 or ACT / SAT Scores   Counselor Recommendation * by Oct. 1 for Mrs. Powrozek Teacher Recommendation * Application Fee * Not required by all colleges / universities

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

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”

College And Career Center Coordinator-Mrs. Judi Stahl   College Rep visits  Sign up  Schedule posted Check the CCC website often Scholarship Information SAT/ACT Test Prep information A wealth of resources!

Financial Aid Complete FAFSA online in January, 2016 ( Financial Aid Night at Groves in December -College financial aid representative Scholarships -Need-based -Merit-based Loans Work/Study

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!

Senior Year Timeline cont. May and June 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!

Caseloads: seniors only A-De: Brian Flatter Df-J: Kristy Fekaris K-Mo: Jenn Vanderveen Mp-Si: Walt Romano Sj-Z: Rebecca Powrozek THANK YOU!!!