Presenters This Evening Pioneer Counseling Department Stephanie Carter and Sara Vance Nuts and Bolts of College Planning

Agenda for this evening: Timeline College Search & Visit Common Terms & Definitions Questions

COLLEGE IS A MATCH TO BE MADE NOT A PRIZE TO BE WON

11th Grade - 1st Semester Begin College Lists Attend College Visits at the PHS Career Center Research Colleges - Students & Parents- Career Cruising Internet & Catalogs Career Center

11th Grade - 2nd Semester Junior Interviews with Counselor MORE College Research Take SAT, ACT and MME exams On-Campus College Visits (while college is in session) Attend the Ann Arbor College and Career Fair at Pioneer HS on Sunday March 29, 2015 (2-4pm) Complete and submit Student Profile and Parent Brag Sheets by May 1 Review High School Transcript for Graduation Requirements Request Teacher Recommendations before end of year

Standardized College Admission Exams SAT I – Reasoning Test – This SAT is a three-hour, primarily multiple- choice test that measures verbal and mathematical reasoning abilities that develop over time. Many colleges require SAT scores for admission. SAT II – Subject Tests – Subject Tests are one-hour, primarily multiple- choice tests that measure your knowledge of particular subjects and your ability to apply that knowledge. Check the requirements of the colleges you are considering. More selective colleges may require or recommend one or more Subject Tests for admission or placement. ACT – Assessment Test – A group of tests administered by ACT and required or recommended by many colleges. The tests measure educational development in English, mathematics, reading, and science reasoning and are given at specified test centers throughout the year.

Michigan Merit Exam (MME) Part I : ACT Part II: ACT Work Keys Part III: Michigan components of exam (Math, Science, and Social Studies) During registration process, students can select up to 4 colleges for this specific ACT score to be sent to. NO FEE.

Summer Before 12th Grade Plan your work and work your plan! Work on college application/essays - find them online Have a couple people check them before you push the send button - some do not let you revise after sending Be aware of upcoming deadlines Read summer mailing from Pioneer HS Study for retaking early Fall SAT & ACT tests (optional)

12th Grade - 1st Semester Attend Senior Parent Night in early September Complete college applications. Most applications will be done entirely online. Retake SAT & ACT tests (optional) Remind teachers for letters of recommendation at least 4 weeks before they’re needed. Go to College Visits at Pioneer HS (Career Center) Admissions Officers will be presenting and are available for questions - very helpful to meet these people! On-Site Admissions at PHS is also an option.

12th Grade - 2nd Semester Fill out FAFSA after January 1st Check Career Center weekly for scholarships and use online scholarship search engines Receive acceptance/rejection letters from colleges Continue to work hard academically: 2nd semester classes & grades count towards acceptance or “denial”! Contact Financial Aid offices at proposed colleges Develop a plan to finance college Send in your deposit to selected college by their required deadline.

Researching Colleges

WHAT DO I LOOK FOR? What do you know about yourself? Likes, Dislikes, Interests, Values Environment - location, size, etc. Admission Requirements Academics College Expenses & Financial Aid Housing Facilities Activities Students should look for a college that “fits” and will have a preliminary list of colleges to explore.

HOW DO I SEARCH? EDP’s & Career Cruising Career Center at PHS College Visits at PHS On-campus college visits Online internet research - See helpful websites on next page Helpful books Research - Research - Research!

HELPFUL COLLEGE SEARCH WEBSITES cosearch.htm

Career Center Joyce Williams, Career Center Director Hours of Operation: 7:30 - 3:00 M-F Location: Across from the Cafeteria Students can spend lunchtime and 7th hour in the Career Center Parents are more than welcome to utilize these resources!

What is in the Career Center? Online Searches College Catalogs & DVD’s PSAT, SAT & ACT applications & practice tests Resources on other Post-secondary planning: Military, Vocational Schools, Apprenticeships, etc. Scholarship Opportunities Summer & Internship Opportunities

On-Campus College Visits Call or the Admissions Offices at prospective colleges Ask about procedures for a Campus Visit Try to plan visits while college is in session Inquire if college students will be available for questions Try to attend a class or two & ask about eating in the dining hall Try to spend a night in the dorm or see a dorm room during a campus tour

Scholarships Students can begin applying for scholarships during the senior year. Check out the following websites: Local and national scholarship opportunities can be found in the PHS Career Center.

Financial Aid Students seeking help with college cost will need to apply for financial aid. For a student to be considered for federal aid, then he/she will need to complete an online application at Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) The FAFSA is processed free of charge. FAFSA is used by most state agencies and colleges to determine eligibility for financial aid. Students must complete this form in order to be eligible for work study at any college. Registration opens January 1 st of senior year.

Scholarship/Financial Aid Ann Arbor Public Schools “Financial Aid / Scholarship Night” January 13, 2015 Cafeteria Annex at 6:30 PM Facilitated by a local university’s admission office

College Athletics Student athletes seeking to play a Division I or Division II college sport will need to register at Part of the NCAA registration process will involve sending a transcript from parchment.com

Steps in Applying to College from Pioneer High School

After careful research, select approximately 3-5 colleges to apply to. Consider a range of colleges where admission might be a stretch, pretty certain and guaranteed (Reach, Mid-Range, Safety). Online Applications are found on the college websites. Pioneer HS will begin accepting applications for processing the second week in September. Rolling Admissions/ Early Action applications should be submitted as early as possible (before October 31st). Step #1 Select Colleges

Step #2 Test Scores Students will be advised to send scores directly to four colleges when they register for MME/ACT/SAT. Colleges use only the highest scores. Recommend student use SS # for all ACT registration. Pioneer does not send scores. Scores are sent directly by the testing centers per your request. There is a fee.

Step #3 Transcripts Students will need to send transcripts to colleges through Some colleges may charge a small fee (around $2.55) for each transcript. Most Midwestern colleges are free.

Step #4 Recommendations Students need to ask teachers for recommendations, before leaving for summer break. Teachers will need to know deadline. Recommendations are sent either electronically or through US mail. This will depend on the college.

Step # 5 Important Deadlines Students need to be aware of their college application deadlines. Many pieces need to come together such as counselor recommendation, teachers’ recommendations, student’s essay, etc.

Common Terms & Definitions

Selective Admissions Options Early Action – An application process which permits students to make application to an institution of preference and receive a decision during the senior year well in advance of the normal response dates in the spring. The candidate is not committed to enroll at that particular institution. Early Decision – An application process in which a commitment is made by the student to the institution that, if admitted, the student will enroll. Only a student who can make a deliberate and well-reasoned first choice decision should apply under an Early Decision plan because the institution will require a nonrefundable deposit well before May 1. This is a binding commitment from the student. WAITLISTED ROLLING ADMISSION

WHERE DO I TURN TO ASK QUESTIONS? COUNSELOR CAREER CENTER COLLEGE WEBSITES

Thank you for coming! We hope this makes the college application process a little easier!