1. Welcome to College Information Night September 29, 2010 6:30pm Chastity Sward, Guidance Counselor

2. Value of Education Individuals with a Bachelor’s Degree earn an average of $18,540 more per year than individuals with only a high school diploma. Over the course of a lifetime, college graduates will earn about $1 million more than high school graduates.

3. Cost of Education Traditionally, paying for public higher education has been a shared cost between the state and student/family. Now, the burden is shifting to the student: 1970’s students/families paid 1/3 cost of college 1995~ 40% 2005~ 50% The average debt load for students graduating from a 4-year college is now $17,250.27.

4. Cost of Attendance in Indiana for 2010-2011 academic year IU$16,298-$18,901Tuition, Room & Board only Purdue$18,190Tuition, Room & Board only Ball State$15,748Tuition, Room & Board only USI$12,500Tuition, Room & Board, fees VU$4,326Tuition only (15 cr. Hrs.) Ivy Tech$1,568Tuition only (15 cr. Hrs.) UE$37,186Tuition, Room & Board, fees

5. Timeline for Senior Year Fall Semester – Make sure schedule/credits meet graduation requirements/admission requirements/NCAA eligibility requirements – Register to take SAT or ACT if you have not done so – Campus Visits (September-October-November) – Submit admission applications with college admission office *Some programs/colleges will have early deadlines (i.e. Indiana University – Nov. 1 st deadline to receive full consideration for merit scholarships; Purdue University – Nov. 15 th is the admission application deadline for various programs as well as the deadline to be eligible for Purdue merit scholarships.)

6. Timeline for Senior Year (cont.) Spring Semester – Financial Aid Night January 2011 – Complete FAFSA by March 10 th receipt date deadline – Apply for scholarships of interest – Weigh admission offers and financial aid packages – May 1 st typically deadline for accepting offers of admission – Watch for summer deadlines (orientation, registration, housing options, etc.) – *21 st Century Scholars must complete and return Affirmation letters by March 10 th deadline

7. Choosing a College What is important to you?

8. Consider College Characteristics Four-year, two-year, technical or trade schools, apprenticeship program Cost Public, Private, or Proprietary Location – Distance from home, Urban vs. Rural, Climate, Transportation costs/ease of access Size, type of campus – Average class size – Liberal vs. Conservative, Coed, Religious affiliation Reputation, prestige of school Activities, organizations, sports

9. List, Compare, and Visit Schools Be organized in your search Research college websites Attend college rep visits to Barr-Reeve Make the most of your college visit days

10. College Visits Important to get to that school & see if it ‘fits’ for you Every senior is allowed 2 days excused absences to visit colleges Student/parent’s responsibility to set up college visit Contact Office of Admissions at least 2 weeks prior to schedule visit Obtain a pre-arranged absence form from Guidance Office prior to date of visit

11. What to do on a college visit Admissions Office Departments of Interest Financial Aid Office Attend a class, if possible Tour campus Eat in the dining hall Visit a dorm Talk to current students

12. What to do on a college visit (cont.) Anything of special interest to you (theatre, drama, athletics, etc.) College visit is for YOU not them

13. Applying to College Where to begin, when to begin, how to begin

14. Applying for Admission What do colleges look for when making admission decisions?  HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT (Courses taken, grades earned, test scores)  Strength or rigor of curriculum  GPA, class rank  Trends in academic performance  Extra-curricular involvement *Any leadership positions held  Volunteer experiences

15. Applying for Admission (cont.) If you plan to participate in athletics at a Division I or II school, you must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse Must meet NCAA freshman-eligibility requirements to be deemed eligible to compete in NCAA Division I or II athletics.

16. How to apply paper/pencil 1. Obtain application (from college, download from website or from guidance office) 2. Complete application & attach application fee 3. Turn completed application & application fee to the guidance office in a timely manner (at least 1 week prior to deadline)

17. How to apply online Access application online Fill out & submit application online Pay application fee online May need to download Counselor’s Signature page or request eSSR through e-transcripts Request high school transcript through e-transcripts

18. Helpful Hints when filling out college applications Apply early (application fees may be waived if apply early…$25- $50) Most colleges prefer online applications (application fee may be waived) If you are 21 st Century Scholar or Project Aspire student, ask about fee waivers If you attach additional sheets, be sure to put your full name on additional sheets

19. Helpful Hints when filling out college applications (cont.) If you apply paper/pencil, follow up to make sure your application was sent. If you have not heard anything from your college after 4-6 weeks, call admissions office and check on the status of your application. Know what is on your transcript – Example: test scores updated?

20. Helpful Hints when filling out college applications (cont.) If you’ve taken dual credit classes, you must request your college transcript (OCU &/or VU) be sent to your university prior to registering for classes. BE AWARE OF DEADLINES – Student’s responsibility READ DIRECTIONS!! – (Student’s responsibility to fill out application completely)

21. Indiana e-transcript The preferred way to send your transcript Safe, paperless way to electronically send transcripts to colleges Students must sign up (Click on the Secure Transcript link on Barr-Reeve’s Guidance Department web page) Students need an email address Students will receive an email when your transcript has been sent & received Free & available 24/7

22. College Admissions Tests ACT or SAT

23. Every 4-year institution will require ACT or SAT scores Will want to check with other colleges or trade schools to see if they require test scores If you haven’t taken the ACT or SAT and plan on attending a 4-year institution, you need to be taking one of these exams ASAP Must register Test dates and registration deadlines are posted in the guidance office, bulletin board outside the guidance office, and senior newsletters.

24. ACT or SAT (cont.) May register online (preferred) or paper/pencil ACT registration materials available in the guidance office If you are a 21 st Century Scholar or Project Aspire student, ask about fee waivers Students with disabilities may be eligible to receive accommodations If you plan on taking the ACT, check to see if your college requires the optional Writing portion

25. SAT Critical Reading Math Writing Average score is about 500 on each section of the test Each section is scored on the 200-800 scale, where 200 is lowest and 800 is highest

26. ACT English Math Reading Science Writing (Optional, but required by many colleges) Average Composite Score (21.0) *The composite score is an average of the four test scores (Eng, Math, Reading, & Science) Each test is scored on the 1-36 scale, where 1 is lowest and 36 is highest

27. How do I pay for college?

28. Types of Financial Aid Grants Scholarships Work-study program Loans

29. Grants Financial aid that you do not have to repay. Government and other organizations award grants usually based on financial need Academic Competitiveness Grant: – Up to $750 for the first year of undergraduate study/ $1300 for second year – Must be full-time student and eligible for pell grant – Must have successfully completed Core 40 or AHD

30. Grants (cont.) National SMART Grant: – Will provide up to $4,000 for each of the 3 rd & 4 th years of undergraduate study – Must be full-time student & eligible for a Pell Grant – Must be majoring in physical, life or computer sciences, mathematics, technology or engineering; or in a foreign language determined critical to national security

31. Scholarships Financial aid that you do not have to repay - We LIKE these!! May be given for academic excellence (merit- based), financial need, distinction in a certain activity (sports or 4-H), or affiliation with a religious, civic, or school organization. May be one-time award or renewable each year Many are only awarded to incoming freshman

32. Work-Study Programs Students work as part of their financial aid Usually on-campus jobs

33. Loans Borrowed money, will be paid back…WITH INTEREST!! Many types of loans Some are federally regulated, some offered by private companies

34. How to apply for financial aid Fill out your FAFSA each year (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Must be received by Federal Processor by March 10 th of each year Attend Financial Aid Night Contact Financial Aid Office at your university for university-specific forms or financial aid applications. Most colleges will offer ‘Early Aid Estimator’

35. Scholarship Tips Read Senior Newsletters and Barr-Reeve Scholarship Booklet Check with financial aid office at individual college/university Check with program or specific department at your university (i.e. School of Business) Local organizations or businesses **parent’s employer Search internet BEWARE OF SCHOLARSHIP SEARCHES…NEVER PAY $ TO GET A SCHOLARSHIP

36. When filling out scholarship applications….. Remember, your application is a representation of YOU. Read and follow directions carefully Be Neat Type-written applications recommended Utilize FoxIt Reader – we can scan documents so you can type them!! Be honest and be yourself Highlight your strengths; be truthful without being boastful

37. When filling out scholarship applications (cont.)….. Watch deadlines – financial aid offices and scholarship personnel adhere to them! Double check yur spelling You are responsible for making sure all parts of the application arrive on time. If letters of recommendation or transcripts are required, give the people who will provide these generous lead time.

38. When filling out scholarship applications (cont.)….. Make a copy of the application for your file Keep a written record of the scholarships for which you applied. Make a note of the deadlines, requirements, and responses. Recommendation letters

39. Recommendation Letter Tips Choose wisely Be considerate of other’s time (ask 1-2 weeks prior to deadline) Make certain your references know you well. Even if someone has known you for years, they may be unaware of community involvement, awards, etc. You are trying to set yourself apart from other applicants…inform those who are writing your letters of recommendation.

40. Recommendation Letter Tips (cont.) Provide resume outlining: – Extra-curricular activities, honors, awards, leadership positions held, employment, volunteer activities, community involvement Type resume and save to distribute throughout the year Continue to update as year progresses Include a stamped, addressed envelope if the recommendation is to be mailed separately Write a personal note of thanks

42. I’ve been accepted, now what? Compare/contrast colleges and financial aid packages from each school What questions do I need to find out before making my decision? Typically prospective students don’t have to make a decision until May 1 st Prior to May need to make housing decisions Very appropriate to contact and inform schools if you are declining their offer of admission

43. Points to ponder If you are a 21 st Century Scholar or Project Aspire participant, you can receive fee waivers for college application fees and SAT/ACT registration fees. OCU, UE, Marian, Franklin cover remaining tuition not covered by 21 st Century Scholars Award = full tuition! IU & Purdue provide financial assistance for housing, if you are a 21 st Century Scholar & meet eligibility requirements.

44. Things to remember GRADES, GRADES, GRADES!! Don’t lose sight of your goals Colleges will request a final transcript in June Colleges have the right to rescind their offers of admission, scholarships or change financial aid packages if your grades, diploma track, or class rank change!!

45. Things to remember (cont.) Stay organized Keep a calendar of important dates & deadlines Savor the moments working together as a family

46. Questions?