SENIOR Counseling MEETING While we are waiting Sign up for ‘Remind’ Fill in Diploma Form LEGIBLY

STUDENT SUPPORT PERSONNEL COUNSELORS Mr. Nick Bernbeck 432-3523 Mr. Eric Burson 432-3524 Mr. Troy Glasser 432-3521 Mrs. Aja Perales 432-3526 Mrs. Beth Walsh-Sahutske 432-3522 Counseling Office Mrs. Armentrout 432-3519 Career Resource Center 432-3675 Mrs. Naporano STUDENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Mr. Doug Roby 432-3520 SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST Mrs. Lisa Khoury 432-3525

College Application Process OVERVIEW Explore using Naviance (try SuperMatch). Save interesting schools to “Colleges I’m Thinking About” Apply to colleges online either at the university web site or through the Common Application. Select the school from “Colleges I’m thinking about” and click “Move to Application List” This will trigger transcript request On “Colleges” tab you can also send transcripts and link to “Letters of Recommendation” to make a request (only request letter if needed)

College Application Process (continued) OVERVIEW Send ACT/SAT test scores from testing company Complete CRC paperwork Check back to Naviance when you hear a decision from the schools

Where Do You Start?

Sending your Transcript Use Naviance Family Connection http://connection.naviance.com/gpshs In the login box entitled “Username” enter your school ID. For “Password” use your school password Click on “Colleges” tab at top Click “Transcripts” at left Follow on screen instructions Sending your transcript is critical to your application.

Sending Your Test Scores YOU must send official test scores to the colleges where you apply to have a complete file. ACT: go to the website if you have not already sent your score when you registered. www.act.org SAT: go to the website if you have not already sent your score when you registered. www.collegeboard.org

Teacher Letters of Recommendation FIRST Check to see if your schools require a letter of recommendation Face to face request is important (NOT e-mail) Choose a core academic teacher that will best represent you as a student. Give at least two weeks notice Request officially via Naviance in the “Colleges” tab Thank the teacher Ask the Teacher Request in Naviance Thank You Note in Two Weeks

Student Letters Of Recommendation Video

And…we wait.

Common Application www.commonapp.org Standard Uniform College Application Used by over 700 member schools May be used exclusively or optionally by schools Includes: University of Michigan, Kalamazoo College, University of Miami, Albion… If you use this you need to MATCH your Common App Account with your Naviance account (CLICK HERE)

Frequently Asked Questions: What is this Coalition Application? This is a new type of generic application that some colleges are offering. For now we recommend avoiding it while they work out the issues

When Do Colleges Start Considering My Application? Q: When Do Colleges Start Considering My Application? Not until your application is COMPLETE College Application (and fee if required) Counselor Recommendation Form or Letter (if required) Official High School Transcript Official Test Scores Teacher Recommendation (if required) A:

Student Input Form

When You Write Your Essay . . . DO: Start early Read the directions carefully Tell the truth about yourself Focus on your best side Feel comfortable with your anxieties Tie yourself to the college Speak positively Write about your greatest assets and achievements Have someone else proofread before sending

When you write your essay DON’T: Repeat info. elsewhere on the application Write on general, impersonal topics Use the personal statement to excuse your shortcomings Use clichés Go to extremes such as too witty, too opinionated or too intellectual Write a serious essay, from the bottom of your heart, in the most mature manner possible.

Campus Visits The Office of Admission at Alma college suggests you ask these questions: How is admission to the college determined? How do I take a campus tour? Sit in on a class? Have lunch in a dining hall? Stay overnight in a dorm? Do you have a Career Planning program? What is the school’s overall job placement rate? What is job placement rate in my intended major? What kinds of financial aid programs are available? What extra forms do I fill out? Are there any special scholarships offered by the school or its alumni? Can I have a car on campus during my freshman year? What are the dorm facilities like?

Five good reasons to choose Community Colleges MONEY – CCs cost a fraction of a four year college and can be a great way to get the basics out of the way WEAK GRADES or TEST SCORES – if you can’t get in to your top school you may well be able to transfer in after a couple of semesters at a CC WORK or FAMILY OBLIGATIONS – CCs allow flexible scheduling with weekends and evenings so you can juggle your family and work life. YOUR CAREER CHOICE DOESN’T REQUIRE A BACHELOR’S DEGREE – Many service and technological careers do not require a four year degree. YOU ARE NOT SURE ABOUT GOING TO COLLEGE - A lot of high school students have a sense that they should go to college, but they aren’t sure why and aren’t really fond of school. If this describes you, CC can be a good option. You can try out some college-level courses without committing years of your life and tens of thousands of dollars to the experiment.

College Resource Center Located next to Counseling Center in former Attendance Office Open 7:30 – 10:30 every morning Mrs. Naporano 432-3675 Career Pathways, college representative visits, financial aid, college videos & catalogs, summer programs, vocational school information, service information, College Night, Financial Aid Night

NCAA Divisions I & II Consult the NCAA Freshman Eligibility Standards Quick Reference Sheet on the website www.ncaastudent.org ACT and SAT scores must be sent directly to the Clearinghouse from the testing agency NCAA’s SAT/ACT code is 9999

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Financial Aid and Scholarships Financial Aid and Scholarship information is available both in the Counseling Center and in the College Resource Center. Now is the time to start researching options for next year. Register with FastWeb: online scholarship search engine Check Naviance & CRC Scholarship page Research scholarships affiliated with your parent’s business, religious organizations, vocational interests, community non-profits and the like

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