College Counseling Important Contacts: Jill Kelly-Anson Bo Takarabe Bob Willey bhscounseling.pbworks.com Important Contacts: Jill Kelly-Anson Bo Takarabe Bob Willey bhscounseling.pbworks.com

Before you begin…. (take a deep breath …..there is a school for everyone)

Prepare, Prepare, Prepare  Choose your classes wisely your senior year  Pay close attention to deadlines  Set yourself up to be the best candidate possible (remember there are lots of you out there!)  Choose your classes wisely your senior year  Pay close attention to deadlines  Set yourself up to be the best candidate possible (remember there are lots of you out there!)

Some quotes from the people who decide…. “ We like to see 4 hard core academics your senior year ” “ The best predictor of success is 4 years of math ” -CU Admissions officer “ We like to see 4 hard core academics your senior year ” “ The best predictor of success is 4 years of math ” -CU Admissions officer

Minimum Academic Requirements per CU major College of Arts & Sciences  English……….4 years  Math………….4 years  Science……3 years including chemistry or physics  Social Science..3 years  Foreign language.. 3 years College of Arts & Sciences  English……….4 years  Math………….4 years  Science……3 years including chemistry or physics  Social Science..3 years  Foreign language.. 3 years Leads School of Business  English………… 4 years  Math…………….4 years  Science………….3 years (including chemistry or physics)  Social Science…..3  Foreign language..3  Academic Elective…..1 *Notice the difference between the colleges

What do they want from me anyway? a glimpse into what colleges look for

What Colleges Look At: Transcript: classes taken and grades achieved Grade Point Average Class Rank Test Scores: ACT, SAT I/II Recommendations Application questions and essays Resume Community Service Extracurricular Activities Transcript: classes taken and grades achieved Grade Point Average Class Rank Test Scores: ACT, SAT I/II Recommendations Application questions and essays Resume Community Service Extracurricular Activities  Special talents, skills, interests; leadership abilities  Major or area of interest  Personal interview  Communication with college demonstrating interest  Ethnic Status  Alumni Relationship to college  Geographic location, where you live  Family’s ability to pay  Special concerns: illness, handicap, family issues

Community service ideas  Key club  Habitat for humanity  Buddy program  Tutoring  Key club  Habitat for humanity  Buddy program  Tutoring  Roadside clean-up  FBLA  Church programs  Trail work

Planning to Apply  Testing  Researching Schools  Choosing a Major  Testing  Researching Schools  Choosing a Major

Testing

What test do I take? ACT  Colorado, Midwest, Mountain schools  writing costs extra  some students find this test more manageable  $33 w/out writing *  $48 with writing ACT  Colorado, Midwest, Mountain schools  writing costs extra  some students find this test more manageable  $33 w/out writing *  $48 with writing SAT/SAT II  necessary for private schools and some state schools outside of CO  often used by schools on the common application  writing is included  $47 SAT I *  $21 per reasoning test *fee waivers available for those who qualify

ACT  Includes English, Reading, Math, & Science  Writing is optional (additional charge)  Mandatory at end of Junior year/ No writing section  Can be retaken during Senior year  Perfect Score: 36  National Average: 20.0  Includes English, Reading, Math, & Science  Writing is optional (additional charge)  Mandatory at end of Junior year/ No writing section  Can be retaken during Senior year  Perfect Score: 36  National Average: 20.0

ACT Test Dates act.org DateRegistration Deadline Late Registration April 9March 4March 5-18 June 11May 6May 7-20 September 10 August 5August 6-19

SAT I/II SAT I Includes Verbal, Math, and Writing Perfect Score 2400 SAT II Subject tests (plan to take these after appropriate course work) Can take up to 3 per test date Perfect Scores depend on test

SAT Test Dates 2011 Register at collegeboard.com DateRegistration Deadline Late Registration June 4May 6May 20 October 8September 9September 23

Researching Colleges Where do I begin?

Questions to Ask Yourself:  What do I want to get out of college? What are my goals for my college education?  Where in the country/world do I want to be? Colorado? East Coast? West Coast? Midwest? Does it not matter to me?  What type of location do I want to be in? Urban (big city)? Rural? Suburban? College town?  What size school do I want to be at? Big University? (25,000 or more), Smaller College? ( students)  Do I want to be at a public or private school? (remember- sometimes private schools have more money to offer)  What do I want to get out of college? What are my goals for my college education?  Where in the country/world do I want to be? Colorado? East Coast? West Coast? Midwest? Does it not matter to me?  What type of location do I want to be in? Urban (big city)? Rural? Suburban? College town?  What size school do I want to be at? Big University? (25,000 or more), Smaller College? ( students)  Do I want to be at a public or private school? (remember- sometimes private schools have more money to offer)

More questions...  What do I think I might study? Do want a school that has a variety of majors to choose from? Do you want a school that has something very specific that may not be offered at many schools (ie occupational therapy or video game design?)  What activities do I want to pursue in college? Sports? Art? Music? Clubs? Study Abroad? Summer programs?  What can I afford?  Do I want to start at a two-year school or four-year school?  Utilize college searchwww.collegboard.com-  What do I think I might study? Do want a school that has a variety of majors to choose from? Do you want a school that has something very specific that may not be offered at many schools (ie occupational therapy or video game design?)  What activities do I want to pursue in college? Sports? Art? Music? Clubs? Study Abroad? Summer programs?  What can I afford?  Do I want to start at a two-year school or four-year school?  Utilize college searchwww.collegboard.com-

Learning about Colleges  College Handbooks (i.e. Fiske Guide, Colleges That Changes Lives)  College Catalogs  College Fairs  College Visits  Other students  Reach College Counseling Sessions   College Handbooks (i.e. Fiske Guide, Colleges That Changes Lives)  College Catalogs  College Fairs  College Visits  Other students  Reach College Counseling Sessions 

College Fairs Denver Spring College Fair Sunday, May 1, pm-3:30pm Lakewood HS Basalt High School October 6, :00- 7:30 pm Western Slope College Fair October 11:00-2:00 pm Aspen High School Christian College Fair October 6:30-8:30 JFK High School, Denver Denver Spring College Fair Sunday, May 1, pm-3:30pm Lakewood HS Basalt High School October 6, :00- 7:30 pm Western Slope College Fair October 11:00-2:00 pm Aspen High School Christian College Fair October 6:30-8:30 JFK High School, Denver

Tips for a College Fair  Pre made Name/address cards  Find out schools in attendance  Highlight schools to visit first  Know appropriate questions  Pre made Name/address cards  Find out schools in attendance  Highlight schools to visit first  Know appropriate questions

Checklist for College Visits meet with an admissions counselor verify admission requirements determine actual college costs ask about financial aid opportunities take a campus tour investigate your academic program(s) attend a class talk with students and faculty stay in a dorm ask yourself how do I feel here? discuss your chances for success: ….admission ….graduation ….placement meet with an admissions counselor verify admission requirements determine actual college costs ask about financial aid opportunities take a campus tour investigate your academic program(s) attend a class talk with students and faculty stay in a dorm ask yourself how do I feel here? discuss your chances for success: ….admission ….graduation ….placement

Choosing a Major Don’t worry…you don’t have to choose yet

If You Don’t Have Any Idea:  Look at your interests  Take the Choices Interest Inventory  Look at PLAN results  Take an online inventory  Collegeboard.com- college search remember: college students change their major many times during their college career  Look at your interests  Take the Choices Interest Inventory  Look at PLAN results  Take an online inventory  Collegeboard.com- college search remember: college students change their major many times during their college career

Other things to Consider:  WUE Program  Family  Transportation costs  WUE Program  Family  Transportation costs

The Application Process (a piece of cake … if you stay organized)

Applications  Apply online  Common Application (a great resource…use it!)  Apply online  Common Application (a great resource…use it!)

When you apply you will need: (for most schools)  Resume (refer to BHS College Handbook)  2 Letters of recommendation (ask at least two weeks in advance)  Personal Statement (should give to counseling office 2 weeks prior to deadline)  Check for application fee  $5 (one time fee to BHS for processing)  This along with completed application and supplements should be turned in to Linda in the counseling office (transcripts and test scores will be attached and sent.)  Resume (refer to BHS College Handbook)  2 Letters of recommendation (ask at least two weeks in advance)  Personal Statement (should give to counseling office 2 weeks prior to deadline)  Check for application fee  $5 (one time fee to BHS for processing)  This along with completed application and supplements should be turned in to Linda in the counseling office (transcripts and test scores will be attached and sent.)

Some Terms to Know

Early Decision/aka “ Binding ”  this is an agreement with the school that if you are accepted you will attend  only apply ED if you are sure  it may be “ easier ” for students to get in ED (admissions officers want to fill their classes with the best)  you will not know your financial aid status before you are accepted...however you may be able to change your status if the package they give you will make it difficult for you to attend  this is an agreement with the school that if you are accepted you will attend  only apply ED if you are sure  it may be “ easier ” for students to get in ED (admissions officers want to fill their classes with the best)  you will not know your financial aid status before you are accepted...however you may be able to change your status if the package they give you will make it difficult for you to attend

Early Action/ non- binding  Students can apply early but are not bound to go to school  Good for students who are pretty sure where they want to attend but still want the option to change their mind  Still a “ better ” chance of acceptance  Most will “ roll-over ” to regular admissions if not accepted  Students can apply early but are not bound to go to school  Good for students who are pretty sure where they want to attend but still want the option to change their mind  Still a “ better ” chance of acceptance  Most will “ roll-over ” to regular admissions if not accepted

Common Application  An application for over 400 different schools (usually private)  Colleges recognize the common application equally  Please remember to check the supplemental application (as each school asks for different materials)  An application for over 400 different schools (usually private)  Colleges recognize the common application equally  Please remember to check the supplemental application (as each school asks for different materials)

Rolling Admissions  Applications are reviewed as they are received

Attention College Athletes

NCAA  Students must submit application to play Division I &II Students must have taken at least 17 academic classes during high school Athletic Director has applications  Students must submit application to play Division I &II Students must have taken at least 17 academic classes during high school Athletic Director has applications

Show Me the Money!

How much will college cost?  CMC-living at home- $2,500/year  Mesa State- $15,205  CU/CSU- $21,000  DU/CC-$50,000  Out of state state schools- $20-55,000  Includes room/board, books, fees, tuition  CMC-living at home- $2,500/year  Mesa State- $15,205  CU/CSU- $21,000  DU/CC-$50,000  Out of state state schools- $20-55,000  Includes room/board, books, fees, tuition

Financial Aid  FAFSA  CSS Profile  Scholarships  FAFSA  CSS Profile  Scholarships

FAFSA  In order to receive any financial aid (loans or grants) the FAFSA must be completed  Parents should complete by the February 15, 2012  Parents must have completed 2011 taxes  Fill out the “pre-application” beforehand, it will make the other application easier  We will have a FAFSA workshop January  In order to receive any financial aid (loans or grants) the FAFSA must be completed  Parents should complete by the February 15, 2012  Parents must have completed 2011 taxes  Fill out the “pre-application” beforehand, it will make the other application easier  We will have a FAFSA workshop January 2012

CSS Profile (easy as pie…and worth the time!)  Primarily for private colleges (including Colorado College!)  Register at  Click on “paying for college”  Then click on “css/profile online”  You will need a list of the colleges you are applying to and a credit card  DEADLINE: December 1, 2011  Primarily for private colleges (including Colorado College!)  Register at  Click on “paying for college”  Then click on “css/profile online”  You will need a list of the colleges you are applying to and a credit card  DEADLINE: December 1, 2011

Scholarships  Submit FAFSA  Watch the scholarship board at BHS  Watch BHS Counseling Website  Local scholarship form handed out in February    Submit FAFSA  Watch the scholarship board at BHS  Watch BHS Counseling Website  Local scholarship form handed out in February  

Now the wait begins …

Reminder: Colleges look at your 2 nd semester grades so watch out for “senioritis!”

And the envelope please … is it fat? is it thin?

Congratulations! You are going to college! You are going to college!

Once you have been accepted…  Look at financial aid packages from all of the schools you have been accepted  Once you have decided where you are going please notify the counseling office so we can send your final transcripts  Notify the school you will be attending before May 1 (and send in your enrollment deposit!)  Celebrate!!!  Keep in touch.  Look at financial aid packages from all of the schools you have been accepted  Once you have decided where you are going please notify the counseling office so we can send your final transcripts  Notify the school you will be attending before May 1 (and send in your enrollment deposit!)  Celebrate!!!  Keep in touch.