Sr. College Information Night Sr. College Information Night Boonville HS Presenter Larry Anderson CMU

Agenda Choosing a College Choosing a College College Visits College Visits Admissions Process & Entrance Requirements Admissions Process & Entrance Requirements Scholarships Scholarships Financial Aid Financial Aid

" Selecting a college is not like buying a car or some other product. In this process you start out as a consumer and end up as the product. You become your school and you carry that identity throughout your life. So the business of finding the right fit is very important.” - Marc Harding Director of Admissions, Iowa State University

What should You look for in a college? Private, Public, 2 yr, Technical Private, Public, 2 yr, Technical Entrance Requirements **very important** Entrance Requirements **very important** Academic Rigor Academic Rigor Cost Cost Rural or City/Distance Rural or City/Distance Size of Campus/classes Size of Campus/classes Programs/Majors Offered Programs/Majors Offered Extracurricular Activities Extracurricular Activities

List, Compare & Visit Colleges Before deciding compile info. from several sources: Before deciding compile info. from several sources: –College Websites –College Catalogs & Viewbooks –College Representatives –Counselors –Parents or college alumni –College Visits

“Best Fit” not “Best School” Remember—finding the Remember—finding the “best fit” is all about visiting, researching & exploring the “best fit” is all about visiting, researching & exploring the school’s ‘culture’. Every campus school’s ‘culture’. Every campus has a personality. has a personality.

College Visits Meet with admissions counselor Meet with admissions counselor Verify admissions requirements are met Verify admissions requirements are met Determine college costs Determine college costs Scholarships/Financial Aid Scholarships/Financial Aid Meet with academic program Meet with academic program Attend a class/talk with faculty Attend a class/talk with faculty Ask about deadlines Ask about deadlines Tour campus/dorms etc. Tour campus/dorms etc.

College Visits etc. All Seniors are given 2 visit days that do not count as an absence All Seniors are given 2 visit days that do not count as an absence Must fill out College Visit form in counselor’s office and follow procedure outlined on form before going Must fill out College Visit form in counselor’s office and follow procedure outlined on form before going Must have parent permission! Must have parent permission!

Admissions Process Apply fall of senior year Apply fall of senior year Know application fees & Know application fees & deadlines deadlines Some fees are waived if you apply Some fees are waived if you apply on-line on-line Ask Counselor to send Transcripts ASAP Ask Counselor to send Transcripts ASAP Separate Application for some programs?? Separate Application for some programs??

Meet All Deadlines!!! Priority consideration will be given to those students whose applications are complete and received by the school by a certain time. You may Miss Out on scholarships if you don’t meet deadlines!! University system has a Dec. 1 st deadline for scholarships!!

Don’t Go Overboard Apply to only those schools where you are sure you want to go... WHY? Application Fees Involve Time/Effort Many Steps/Done Carefully Take Away A Spot From Another Applicant Various People Involved

What if I don’t get in? Talk to admissions representative about why you were not granted admissions Talk to admissions representative about why you were not granted admissions Raise ACT score Raise ACT score

ACT Test ACT score required for admissions in 4 yr colleges or universities ACT score required for admissions in 4 yr colleges or universities Scores required for some scholarships Scores required for some scholarships ACT given October, December, February, April & June ACT given October, December, February, April & June Apply on-line at Apply on-line at See BHS website for ACT links See BHS website for ACT links ACT subscores used for placement in core math & English classes in college ACT subscores used for placement in core math & English classes in college

What Next? Apply for scholarships Apply for scholarships Housing Contracts Housing Contracts Dorm/Roommate Selection Dorm/Roommate Selection Housing Deposits Housing Deposits Financial Aid/File Fafsa (2 nd semester) Financial Aid/File Fafsa (2 nd semester) Orientation (summer) Orientation (summer) Registering for classes (spring/summer) Registering for classes (spring/summer)

Funding College Forms of Financial Aid Forms of Financial AidScholarshipsGrantsLoans

Scholarships Local Scholarships--given by community Local Scholarships--given by community –Booklet given to seniors in CA classes before Christmas Break –Booklet available on BHS website –Due in January State/National Scholarships State/National Scholarships –See Guidance Dept. Scholarship Page ( for complete list –Check it monthly Scholarship Search Scholarship Search

Institutional Scholarships Scholarship awards given by the college you are attending Merit Based/Automatic—Usually based on combinationMerit Based/Automatic—Usually based on combination of ACT score, GPA or class rank of ACT score, GPA or class rank DepartmentalDepartmental AthleticAthletic Performance—Music, theatre etcPerformance—Music, theatre etc Need BasedNeed Based Search college website for complete list of scholarships!! Check deadlines & procedure for applying.

Financial Aid Financial Aid Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at --This application is for all state and government grants and loans --Not available until January 1 st. --FAFSA deadline for Missouri is April 1 st. PIN Number – FAFSA processed faster if you use a PIN!

College Financial Planning Night HS Media Center Oct. 14, 2009 Oct. 14, :30 pm 7:30 pm Financial Consultant will educate parents on the college financial aid process & on paying for today’s high cost of college.

FAFSA Workshop Boonville Media Center Boonville Media Center January 20, 2010 January 20, :00 pm 7:00 pm Financial Aid Rep. will give detailed presentation on completing the FAFSA, & applying for student loans & grants

Mid-Mo College Fair October 5 th at Hearnes Center October 5 th at Hearnes Center Students can gather info on colleges, tech schools & military Students can gather info on colleges, tech schools & military Students sign up in guidance office Students sign up in guidance office Must return permission slip Must return permission slip

Additional Resources Boonville HS Webpage (

Contact Info: Candy Marshall Guidance Counselor/ A+ Coordinator (660) ext. 209