1. Career & College 101
Centralia High School

2. Communication Follow us on Twitter Remind @counselingCHS
to the number 81010

3. Tonight’s Agenda: Essays, Apps & Scholarships
Look at CHS Dollars for Scholarships sample application
Hear from Centralia College
Look at college application basics.
Look at college essay prompts.
Learn the basics of a well written college personal statement.
Visit scholarship search engines & web pages.

4. Save the dates: Wednesday, Dec 7 @ 7PM Wednesday, Jan 11 5:30- 7:30 PM
ACT/SAT PSAT
Wednesday, Jan 11 5:30- 7:30 PM
FAFSA on the Web Workshop

5. College Application Basics
Requirements: make sure you qualify for admission.
See admissions>requirements for undergraduates.
Core Classes, SAT Scores, GPA.
Remember timelines & set reminders!
Priority deadlines for Acceptance, Housing, Financial Aid, Scholarships
Have personal, academic and family information ready and at your fingertips
Tax information, letters of recommendation contact information, school (academic and personal=Transcripts and awards) information.
Open up a folder on your computer and start adding information; save and back up.
Use your resources:
Counselors, Career Center, or Call Directly to Admissions Office
Apply for three to four colleges: Solid, Reach, Dream

6. Requirements- CHECK each institution
4 Year University(general)
2 year college
High School Graduation Requirements, plus
Classes in your field of study.
Early application.
Trending upward. . .
High School Graduation Requirements, plus:
Extra year of math, science, English.
Foreign lang- 2-3 years
High SAT Score
Good GPA
Strong Senior Year
See our website for 2 year, 4 year & NCAA entrance comparisons:

7. Timelines and Reminders
Notebook
Personal information, recommenders,
iPhone App
College Application Organizer- Ken Friedman $19.99
College Pastport SAT Edition
See Peterson’s, College Net for Overall yearly timeline:
Gather information early and edit it.
Work with needed people early:
Recommenders
Registrar for transcripts
Counselor
Admissions & financial aid staff at the college you are applying to

8. Apply to FOUR Solid: pretty sure I am going here and I can get in.
Apply for three to four colleges: Solid, Reach, Dream
Solid: pretty sure I am going here and I can get in.
Reach: I would like to go here, but I think it is a reach for me to do so.
Dream: I am a pretty convinced I cannot go here, but I will apply and dream a little!

9. College Entrance Essays
Personal Essay or Statement types:
The “You” Question:
Example: "The University of Vermont values a diverse student body. What contributions might you make to our campus community outside of academic achievement?"
The “Why Us” [College] Question:
Example: "How did you become interested in American University?"
The Creative Question:
Example: "Sharing intellectual interests is an important aspect of university life. Describe an experience or idea that you find intellectually exciting, and explain why."

10. College Entrance Essays 2
See paper for pitfalls and ideas about the 3 types of essays:
Get an essay reviewer:
Parent or family member
Trusted teacher, usually in the English department
Counselor
Admissions professional
Allow time for feedback
Don’t take feedback too personally
Re-write if you think you need to.

11. Scholarships Our CHS Website: http://www.centralia.k12.wa.us/Page/2237
The WashBoard.org:
Dollars for Scholars at Centralia High School:
Let’s take a look at DFS application on paper.
A few search Engines:
Our Web page with Links
College scholarships
Go College
Financial Aid
There are many, many more. Beware of scams!

12. Questions? Jim Parker, Counselor Matt Whitmire, Counselor
Matt Whitmire, Counselor
Deb Everley, Counselor
Josh Lowe, Administration

13. Feedback Please fill out evaluation form to help us do better.
Leave on table or turn it in to one of us.
Thank you for coming!
See you on December 7PM
SAT/ACT Achievement Testing