Planning for College

Overview  Think of each year as being a building block  Don’t get stressed over process- already off to good start  Use resources available to you

Sophomore Year  Keep your grades up!  Take challenging classes  Explore Careers  Start to explore postgraduate options by attending college fairs, college presentations and through informal college visits  Talk to your parents about your goals  Explore career opportunities in more depth through classes, Naviance and/or independent research  Get to know your high school faculty  Talk to your Guidance Counselor about Scholarships  Take leadership roles: at work, clubs, volunteering, at church in sports  Maintain running list of accomplishments throughout high school  Save Money!!

Admission Index for Freshmen

Financing your education INDEX IN-STATE$1000$2000$2500$3000$3500$4000 Freshmen Tuition Merit Awards INDEX IN-STATE$500$1500$2000$2500$3000$3500 Early Action: application received before January 15 Regular Decision: application received after January 15 Transfer Tuition Merit Awards

Higher Ed Admission Requirements 4 years of English 4 years of Math 3 years of Social Science (1 unit of US or World History) 3 years of Science (2 years must be lab-based) 1 year of a world language

Junior Year (Fall)  Most Important Year Academically! Start taking AP/Honors classes- Be sure to sign up for Exams  Continue to be involved in worthwhile activities  October: PSAT (necessary for anyone wishing National Merit Recognition)  ACT prep  December: ACT  Attend Jr. Seminar if it is offered  Research colleges- keep information organized! Start looking into what is required in application packet/deadlines  Ask about scholarship opportunities  Attend College Fairs offered by High School/ Denver area- get on mailing lists

Junior Year (Spring/Summer  April: State ACT  Make sure you register for appropriate college admission tests (ACT/SAT)  Take AP Exams if enrolled in classes  Plan a summer internship: PinHead-science, Colorado AHEC- health, Colorado Health, FASTWEB-list  Spring: Visit a few colleges- start building relationships with Admission Staff  Schedule individual conference with HS counselor to discuss your “plan” & begin college planning  Spring: Complete & Return NCAA Clearinghouse form for Div. I & II Sports. Understand recruiting process  Ask for letters of reference  Apply for early admission consideration at some colleges  June: ACT  Summer: Visit Colleges (to help narrow list)! Work, TRAVEL, volunteer, remain involved

Senior Year: September  Consider/Apply for Concurrent Enrollment  Take ACT or SAT  Write College Essay  Gather Letters of Reference  Create a Resume  Apply to all colleges

College Admission Resume  Highlights accomplishments during high school  Used for writing recommendations, college interviews, & scholarship evaluation  Looking at scholastic & other achievements, awards, activities, athletics, leadership, community service, special talents  In Reviewers’ eyes, “What are you going to bring to our Institution?”

Senior Year: October  Gather any missing documents  ACT or SAT  Check to make sure your college applications have been received and are complete

Senior Year: November  Ask about scholarship opportunities at colleges you applied to.  Ask your guidance office about scholarships  Work on scholarship applications  Look at cost for schools, create a budget with your parents

Senior Year: December  Early decision accept letters  Complete any remaining interviews  Research summer plans

Senior Year: January  Submit FAFSA (Jan 1-Feb 15):  Check other Financial Aid options  Attend Financial Aid workshop

Senior Year: February  February 15: Finish FAFSA  Complete Scholarship Applications  Call colleges to make sure your Financial Aid info is complete

Senior Year: March-April  Relax  Look for remaining Accept letters  Review Award Letters  Review your Scholarship offers  Talk to your mentors about schools you are considering  Look at your budget  Make an Enrollment Deposit

Senior Year: May  If you have not decided on a school decide by May 1.  Pay your enrollment deposit  Contact Wait List Schools  Request that your Graduation Transcript be sent to your college  Contact your college to:  schedule classes  Apply for housing,  pay bills,  request payment plans

Senior Year: Summer  Wrap up loose ends  Attend Orientation  Buy School supplies/books  Health Insurance and other adult things  Make a plan to stay in touch with your family and friends  Go over your budget, again  Move

Advice  Students  Listen to your parents!  Keep your grades up  It is never to early to think about finances  Use counselors on both HS & College end- it is always better to ask!  DO NOT WAIT TILL LAST MINUTE  Stay organized  Parents  HS years go by fast- attend workshops/ info sessions provided by schools  Allow your kids to visit campuses  Be realistic with possibilities  Start collecting info on financial aid options early on  Sit back and let your kids talk!  It will all work out