WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS… After Graduating from Hinsdale Middle/High School

Parent College Night Agenda 6:00 – 6:15Greetings and have a snack! 6:15 – 6:50Powerpoint Presentation Parent Questions Post-Secondary Options Timeline Factors in Choosing a School SAT/ACT Common Application Money! Resources A quote 6:50 – 7:00Lasting Questions 7:00-7:15Informal Discussions with more snacks 7:15 Adjourn

QUESTIONS FOR PARENTS What is your biggest fear as relates to your child applying and attending college? What counseling did you receive when you were in high school about the college admissions process? Do you know what services or resources are available to help your child with the college admissions process?

POST-SECONDARY PLANNING  Four Year College/ University  Two Year College/ Community College  Technical/Vocational Schools  Military  Apprenticeship Training Programs  Gap Year  Employment

A BIT OF A TIMELINE Now! Visit Colleges Narrow Search to 5 – 7 Colleges (two stretch, one safe, the rest best fit) Determine Deadlines (Early Decision, Early Action, Rolling Admission) Get Recommendations (two core academic teachers and counselor) Ask for transcripts Start Common Application December Attend Financial Aid Information Night Finalize remaining applications January/February Attend FAFSA Help Night May Celebrate!!!

FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A COLLEGE  ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS  LOCATION  SIZE OF CAMPUS  EXTRA CURRICULAR INTERESTS  ACADEMIC INTERESTS  CAMPUS ENVIRONMENT  SCORES REQUIRED/IF REQUIRED  WHAT STUDENT WISHES ARE

COLLEGE ADMISSIONS TESTS (REQUIRED BY MOST 4 YEAR COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES) SAT  Designed to assess skills and application of knowledge  Deadlines for this fall: October 9 for November 7 th test November 5 for December 5 th test  Financial Assistance available for families with free or reduced lunch.  Subject Tests ACT  Curriculum-based test  Deadlines for fall: September 18 for October 24 test November 6 for December 12 test Many schools are test optional, check the updated list at

COMMON APPLICATION  Hundreds of schools accept this application process.  One fee, many schools!  Some colleges require additional information or an additional essay.  Start now! OTHER WAYS TO APPLY  Check school websites for paper or electronic applications.  Visit schools or college fairs and request paper applications.

3 MONEY LESSONS FROM STUDENTS  I can’t cover tuition with a part time job.  It’s ok to take out student loans.  You probably won’t pay sticker price.

LET’S TALK MONEY

COLLEGE SEARCH RESOURCES College Application Financial Aid Information ndex.jsphttps://profileonline.collegeboard.com/prf/i ndex.jsp (CSS Profile) SAT/ACT College Searches

WHAT DO I REALLY WANT FOR MY CHILDREN? If you linger over the question, your reply will almost certainly include one particular word: the simple, even silly-seeming word, HAPPY, now and forever. Oh, sure, we also want them to be good people; we want them to contribute to the world; we want them to care for others and lead responsible lives. But deep down, most of us, more than anything else, want our children to be happy. ~Edward Hallowell The Childhood Roots of Adult Happiness