1. Welcome Students and Parents to the College Rep Panel
Western ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
Grand Valley State University
Moraine VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

2. Shepard’s School Counselors:
Counselors: Alpha: Phone Ext:
Joan Alderden           (A-Coa)                  
Simeon Shama          (Cob-Gh & ELL Students) 
Jenna McCormick     (Gia-Kh) College Lead
Helen Pappas            (Ki-Maj) Department Facilitator
Brittney Gray             (Mak-Pes) Freshmen Lead 3766
James Benes             (Pet-Sl)
Gina O'Brien              (Sm-Z) Career Lead
Career Facilitator:
Shirley Bennett All Students

3. When should my student apply to college?
Sophomore and Junior years are the time to research and gather information about different College and Universities and create a list of schools. Research online, attend college and financial aid events, meet with College Reps, Visit Campuses, Research Scholarships, etc. In addition, students and parents can begin to estimate their financial need using Net Price Calculators.
The fall of Senior year, we encourage students to apply to 3-5 schools that include a variety of Reach, Match and Likely options based on admission requirements and selectivity.
Watch for DEADLINES. Many colleges have separate deadlines for their applications, but in general, from September 1 to November 1 are considered a “Priority Filing Period” for college applications. Research shows that 85% of the students that apply during this time period receive acceptance to the college of their choice. 
Examples of Priority Deadlines (Early Action/Early Decision)
U of I (Urbana-Champaign)
Nov. 1 Early Action Deadline/Dec 15 Notification
Dec. 1 Regular Decision Deadline/Feb 2 Notification
ISU / NIU / DePaul Nov. 15
SIUC / SIUE/WIU Dec. 1
Rolling admissions – no deadline, but still apply early!
Early Action (Non Binding) vs Early Decision (Binding—Caution)

4. Things to consider before applying?
Size of School (Small/Medium/Large)
Location (Distance from home & setting)
Private vs. Public (application fees vary)
Financial Aid/Cost (collegecost.ed.gov/ & Net Price Calculators)
Admission Requirements (GPA/SAT/Course Rigor/Foreign language/etc.)
Academic Degrees Offered (Top 5)
Honors programs
Physical Facilities (New facilities/housing/rec center/libraries/cafeterias/etc.)
Transfer of Credits
Accreditation
Extra-Curricular Activities
Family Tradition
NCAA/NAIA (consult with hs coach-Level)
VISIT VISIT VISIT!

5. Selectivity –Reach/Match/Likely
Selectivity relates to the number of students admitted:
Noncompetitive: all applicants admitted
Community colleges, such as MVCC
Minimally Selective: ACT 19 and below
Chicago State, Ferris State, Indiana/Purdue U at Fort Wayne
Moderately Selective: ACT Top 50% of class
UIC, DePaul, Loyola U, Southern/Eastern/ACT 20-25, top 50Western/Northern IL U, Illinois State U, Western MI, University of WI (various locations)
Very selective: ACT on ACT, top 10% of class
“Big Ten Schools,” Military Academy, most large state universities, U of I, U of Michigan, U of Wisconsin (Madison only), U of Iowa, Purdue, Ohio State, Indiana U, Illinois Wesleyan
Most Selective: on ACT, top 10% of class, 3 out of 10 applicants are accepted
“Ivy League Schools,” Columbia NY, U of Chicago, Brown U, Georgetown, Harvard, Northwestern U, Yale, Duke

6. Middle 50% for ACT & SAT Composite Scores & GPA for Illinois Public Universities
Univ. ACT SAT GPA
CSU
EIU
GSU
ISU
NEIU
NIU
**Ask your counselor about alternative admissions if you don’t meet these requirements.
Univ. ACT SAT GPA
SIUC
SIUE N/A
UIC
UIS
UIUC N/A
WIU
**Note that since a holistic approach is used in the admission review process, having an ACT/SAT, GPA, and class rank within the entering freshman profile does not guarantee admission.

7. Minimum Requirements for Automatic Academic Merit Based Scholarships at Illinois Public Universities ($2000-$6000 per year)
Univ. ACT SAT GPA
CSU
EIU
ISU
NEIU *No Guarantee, but considered if have /24 ACT/1160 SAT-check website
NIU *Calculates own index on website
Univ. ACT SAT GPA
SIUC
SIUE
UIC N/A- check website
UIS
UIUC N/A – check website
WIU

8. Higher the GPA = More $$$$$$$$$
Students with a very high GPA/SAT are considered for other Academic scholarships per the university, so the higher the GPA/SAT/ACT, the more opportunities are available for scholarship money.
I.E.- 3.0/30ACT or 1390 SAT = $10,000 per year or $40,000 Total at WIU & UIS
Private Universities offer more Merit Based Scholarships and have more flexibility with the GPA requirement than Public Colleges because their Cost of Attendance is more expensive.
Out of state tuition is typically more expensive. However, many colleges offer in state tuition and merit based scholarship as a result of strong GPA/SAT/ACT scores.
Grand Valley State University in Michigan offers in state tuition if student has a minimum GPA/1140 SAT or 23 ACT = Total $28,280
Central Michigan offers automatic in state tuition with a minimum 2.75 GPA

9. 2 Year College-MVCC Cost Effective
Distinguished Scholarship awarded to students in Top 10%
No GPA requirements
Open admissions, but apply early!
Certification/Career Programs
Transfer Programs- i.e. UICC Engineering Pathways
Smaller Classes
Accuplacer Placement Test
SAT 480 Reading/Writing & 520 Math
20 or above in Reading, English & Math
No on campus housing

10. FINANCIAL AID: FAFSA with ISAC
October 1st of senior year is the filing start date
Financial Aid Night in Fall
Everyone looking to attend college should apply at
Meet with ISAC rep at Shepard- visit
Grants vs Loans
Grant $$ does not need to be repaid
It is first come first serve, so apply early and don’t miss out on free money if applicable
Loan $$ does need to be repaid
Subsidized vs Unsubsidized
Work Study
Ariel O’Neal, ISAC rep
Phone:

11. SCHOLARSHIPS
Meet priority filing period deadlines to qualify for university based scholarships
Research/apply for supplemental scholarships on college of choice’s website
D218 Universal Scholarship Application available on counseling website
Research local, regional and national scholarships and meet deadlines-Resources available on counseling website (ie-fastweb.com)

12. STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:
Retake ACT/SAT if necessary
(ACT)
(SAT)
Narrow search-Reach, Match, Likely
Decide where to apply-check university admission requirements
Submit application before the published deadlines
Secure and complete all materials required for each application
Seek help early from your school counselor and ISAC representative
Visit, Visit, Visit!! Is this school the right fit for me?
College Reps at Shepard
Visit schools of choice
Take campus tour/Meet with admissions officer
Talk to students on campus

13. Tips for Parents
Help your student understand the college search process
Be in the “back seat” and allow your student to be in the “driver seat” of the college selection & application process.
Encourage your student to use the resources that are available at ABS: Counselors, ISAC rep, College reps
Help your student stay organized and meet deadlines.
Have a candid conversation about financing your child's education.
Help your child weigh his/her options.
Attend college and career fairs with your student.
Take advantage of the days when students are not in school to visit college campuses.
Help your student maintain a positive attitude during this process; Celebrate Successes and don’t dwell on rejections.
Provide financial information for the FAFSA as early as Oct. 1st of senior year.
Senior grades do count. Help your student guard against "senioritis." Colleges expect students to continue to perform at a high level.

14. Are you Considered “College & Career Ready?”
Students are considered "College Ready” if they meet either the academic indicators OR the standardized testing benchmarks below:
GPA 2.8 out of 4.0 and one or more of the following:
AP Exam (3+)
 AP Course (C or better) For more info, visit
Algebra 2 (C or better)
Dual Credit Course (C or better)
Minimum score of:
SAT exam: Math (530) /Reading & Writing (480)
ACT exam: English (18)/Reading (22)/Science(23)/Math (22)
Additional factors that Contribute to College & Career Readiness: Identified Career Cluster; Earning As, Bs, Cs; FAFSA Completion; Enrollment in dual credit courses; Senior year math class following Algebra 2; 90% attendance; Two or more extracurricular activities; Workplace experience; 25 hours of community service;

15. What makes a completed application?
Generally, schools require the following:
Completed application and application fee
Pay online or request Fee Waiver in Counseling office if qualify
Official ACT/SAT/AP Scores
April SAT scores listed on transcript
Some schools want scores sent directly from the testing agency
Official High School Transcript
Request online via Parchment
IF REQUIRED:
Teacher Letters of Recommendation
Counselor Letter of Recommendation
Give teachers/counselors at least 2 weeks to process
Counselor Form/Signature Page/Fee Waiver Form
Supplemental material (i.e. art work, writing sample, portfolio, etc.)

16. FINAL APPLICATION THOUGHTS
Start Early!
IT’S A PROCESS!! Take it one step at a time
Read and reread-what does the application ask from you specifically?
Ask questions early and often!
Breathe, it will get easier!

17. College Search Websites
Associated Colleges of the Midwest –
Christian College Guide -
College Board-Big Futures
Colleges of Distinction -
Colleges That Change Lives -
College Net -
College View -
Common Application -
Fairtest -
Go College -
Hispanic College and University Search -
Historically Black Colleges and Universities -
IACAC Student Resources -
Peterson’s Education Center -
US News and World Report colleges
Princeton Review -
Vocational School Database -

18. COLLEGE MAJOR/CAREER WEBSITES
Other Useful Websites
COLLEGE MAJOR/CAREER WEBSITES
Career Cruising –
ID: shepard Password: astros
My Majors -
Occupational Outlook Handbook –
What Can I Do With a Major In -
College Majors and Career Information -
What Can I Do With This Major -
ATHLETIC WEBSITES
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) -
NCAA Clearinghouse Center -
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) -
NAIA Eligibility Center -
National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) -
Schools Sponsoring NCAA Sports -

19. Financial Aid/Scholarship Websites
 FINANCIAL AID WEBSITES
College Answer -
College Zone -
Estimated Family Contribution Calculator -
FAFSA -
FAFSA 4-Caster -
FAFSA PIN Registration -
CSS/Financial Aid Profile -
Illinois Student Assistance Commission -
Mapping Your Future -
Managing College Cost -
Sallie Mae -
Student Aid on the Web -
SCHOLARSHIP WEBSITES
College Xpress –
Fastweb -
FastAid –
Federal Student Aid -
Finaid –
Hispanic Scholarship Fund -
Meritaid -
Questbridge -
Scholarships.com –
Scholarship Page –
Scholarship Scams -
SRN Express –

20. WELCOME PANEL! Western Illinois University
Grand Valley State University
Moraine Valley Community College

21. Questions?

22. We are only a phone call or email away!
THANK YOU
The Counselors, College Consultants, and Counseling Office Staff are there to support seniors and parents through the college search and selection process.
We are only a phone call or away!