Angela Penaflor Tim Schultz

Agenda Tonight we will discuss…  …how to narrow down the college search  …the application process  …different admission decisions  …types of schools  …FAFSA  …scholarships  …upcoming events

What’s Currently Happening with Seniors?  Individual meetings throughout the day  Senior Planning Day  Regular reminders regarding campus reps, scholarships, college fairs, etc.

Narrowing Down the Search  Types of schools  Technical  4-year  Career college  Size of schools  Distance from home  Admissions Standards  Majors offered

Narrowing Down the Search  Visiting the college is the best way to determine the school and campus that best meets the student’s needs  Call the Admissions Office to schedule a personal tour  UW Virtual Campus Tours UW Virtual Campus Tours  Visit the school’s website  College search on Family Connection  Supermatch

Narrowing Down the Search  Talk to admissions reps that visit STM. (Or alumni, parents, advisors, teachers, etc.)  Upcoming visit schedule at STM: October 1: UW-Milwaukee at 9:40 October 6: Mt. Mary University at 11:30 October 7: MATC at 2:15 October 8: UW-Madison at 11:00 October 14: Cardinal Stritch 11:55; Calvin College 12:00 October 21: Baldwin Wallace 11:55; UW-Whitewater 12:00 October 28: Carroll University 11:55; U of St. Thomas 11:55 New visits are added everyday.

Application Process Step 1: Before starting the applications  Finalize resume/activities list and personal essay (make sure they are proofread)  Ask for at least 2 letters of recommendation  Make sure to give that person a copy of “brag” sheet  Give the recommender at least 2 weeks notice  Ask teachers, coaches, employers, etc.

Application Process Step 2:  Apply online!  UW System: apply.wisconsin.eduapply.wisconsin.edu  Other:  Individual school application

Application Process Step 3:  Register with  Secure, official, electronic transcripts available 24/7  Advisor approves transcripts and attaches letters of recommendation, school profile, Secondary School Report (SSR), if applicable  $4.28 per transcript  pay online through Parchment  Fee waivers available to those who received a fee waiver for ACT (4 free transcripts)  Self view

Application Process Step 4:  Send official ACT scores if it hasn’t been done already  Four free scores sent  Additional scores $12.00 each

Complete Application 1. Application filled out in its entirety (with fee, if necessary). Personal essay and resume/activities list are included in application 2. Official transcript sent from Parchment.com 3. Official ACT/SAT scores 4. 2 letters of recommendation, possibly 3 for selective schools/scholarships  It is recommended to apply to schools by December 1 st.  Always check College websites for deadline dates for scholarships or specific majors

Admission Decisions  Rolling admissions  Applications are reviewed as soon as they are received  Pooled admissions  Apply until deadline and then decision is made  Admittance based off first 6 semesters, but sometimes need 7 th semester grades

Admission Decisions  Some of the criteria considered during admission process:  Academic record: depth, breadth, diversity, rigor  Grades  Class rank  Standardized test scores  Extracurricular  Essays  Letters of recommendation

UW-System  Started processing applications on September 15  Fee is $44 for each application ($50 for Madison)  Shoot for priority deadlines  Be aware of separate scholarship applications  For admission criteria or other questions visit

UW-System  Guarantee Transfer Program:  Complete the first 54 credits at UW-Waukesha, maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher, and you’re guaranteed admission to any UW-System school for your final 2 years  Exception is UW-Madison where a 2.8 GPA is required  Let UW-Waukesha know which school within your first 30 credits

WAICU   Don’t think “sticker” price, think net  The net tuition at Wisconsin private colleges is 11% lower than it was in  Out-of-pocket net tuition at Wisconsin’s private, nonprofit colleges and universities is under $5,500  More scholarship dollars available than state schools  Timely degree completion

Technical Schools Go to to see how technical school courses transfer into the UW-Systemhttp://tis.uwsa.edu MATC starts accepting applications for fall 2016 after October 1 st. Accuplacer Visit the Wisconsin Technical Schools websiteWisconsin Technical Schools website

FAFSA  Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)  The completed FAFSA form may be submitted after January 1, 2016 – try to do taxes early  There will be a College Financial Aid meeting on Wednesday, December 1 st  College Goal Wisconsin  Complete the FAFSA form in about an hour with help from the experts – IT’S FREE !  Visit for dates and locations. Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings in February

Scholarships  Individual college scholarships  Some have a separate application, some use the application for admission  Check out Family Connection for updates  Helpful websites include:    Think locally! (groups, clubs, businesses, organizations)  Open to Milwaukee/Wisconsin residents only  Less competitive

Events at STM  College Financial Aid Night  December 1 st at 6:00 in Auditorium (parents AND students)  Senior Planning Day on Oct. 16 th from 8:00 to 12:00  Seniors will attend the following sessions:  Naviance Family Connection training  Resume writing  College and scholarship applications

Contact Angela Penaflor Tim Schultz Cynthia Salisbury