1. 1 Hinsdale Central High School

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3. 3 The more you know about yourself (skills, abilities, like, dislikes) the better decisions you can make Goals and values Abilities and interests High school courses & performance Activities and interests – Show passion and leadership! Personality and relationships Educational preferences – Be aware of specific programs!

4. 4 Check graduation credits Continue to do your best in classes Get to know your teachers Get involved and take on leadership roles

5. 5 Do not let cost be the most important factor in selecting colleges Attend the Financial Aid night in December There’s no need to get anyone to help you get financial aid or scholarships File Free Application for Federal Student Aid (http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ NOT.com!) & CSS Profilehttp://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ ( collegboard.com - usually selective schools) Research both Need Based and Merit Based Scholarships Use Financial Aid Estimator on finaid.org and/or on individual college sites.

6. 6 Universities Liberal Arts Colleges Women’s Colleges Historically Black Colleges / Universities Technical Institutes Fine Arts Schools Community or Junior Colleges

7. 7 ACT SAT Reasoning Test SAT Subject Tests

8. 8 Test DateRegistration Deadline Late Registration (late fee required) *April 13, 2013March 8, 2013March 9-22, 2013 *April 23-24, 2013NO REGISTRATION - TAKEN DURING PSAE TESTING. NO WRITTEN PORTION! June 8, 2013May 3, 2013May 4-17, 2013 REMINDERS: = HCHS is a testing center **The state has mandated not to include the writing section of the ACT on 4/23 – 24. Please make sure to register for another Saturday ACT test WITH writing! Register at: www.act.orgwww.act.org Hinsdale Central ACT/CEEB Code: 142-300 Free reports sent to colleges(up to 4) as you test or you pay a fee later ($10/per school). It is the student’s responsibility to release “official” test scores from testing agency to colleges - check college websites if required!

9. 9 Test Date / Registration Deadline *March 9 th / February 8th *May 4 th / April 5 th *June 1 nd / May 2 nd * = Offered at Hinsdale Central The SAT Reasoning and SAT Subject Tests may not be taken on the same day CEEB CODE 142-300 www.collegeboard.com

10. 10 Use your past test scores to help predict your scores: *PLAN helps predict your ACT *PSAT helps predict your SAT

11. 11 Curriculum/Course Path, Grades, Transcript Test Scores, Essays, Activities & Leadership, Personal Qualities, Awards, Recommendations, Interviews, Resume. Colleges want to see you do well in school every day!

12. 12 Geographic Location Size Environment Surrounding Community Sports & Extra-curricular Activities Social Atmosphere Student Body Diversity Study Abroad Religious Orientation

13. 13 Research Opportunities Reputation Academic Atmosphere Academic Programs & Majors Honors / Accelerated Programs Graduation Rate Cost Tuition / Financial Aid / Scholarships

14. 14 Knowing your interests can help narrow your college choice As Sophomores and Juniors you did career interest inventories As Sophomores you explored the Discover program As Juniors you explored Careers in the Naviance program

15. 15 Scattergrams E-mail messages College Search Careers http://central.hinsdale86.org

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18. 18 New Locations Different Opportunities Unique Programs Interesting People Colleges you have heard of WHERE DO I FIT?

19. 19 Admission Requirements Acceptance Rate Academic Profile of Entering Freshmen Hinsdale Central History

20. 20 Junior Planning Conference BRING YOUR COMPLETED SELF-SURVEY TO YOUR JPC! Research Application o Common Application / School Specific o Student Form o Counselor/SSR Form o Teacher Form Transcript Request

21. 21 Counselor Recommendations rely heavily on your Self-Survey. Bring your completed Self- Survey to your Junior Planning Conference. Recommendation letters are now uploaded electronically on Naviance.

22. 22 Spend lots of time thinking about what YOU want in a college Compile list of colleges to research Use your legal name on all college and testing forms!!! Visit different kinds of colleges over spring break or extended weekends – Make arrangements with the Dean’s Office! Keep grades strong or improve grades Take ACT/SAT Attend College Planning Seminar on March 13 th ! Attend College Night on April 16 th at Central!

23. 23 Visit colleges!! Locally, try Northwestern, Loyola, DePaul, Elmhurst, Dominican, Concordia, Roosevelt…. Determine final list of colleges Begin developing essay/personal statement Do something productive that you are passionate about! Summer Programs Volunteer work Part time job Internship

24. 24 Choose the option that best helps you answer the question in an essay of no more than 650 words: Share a personal story or your background if it is central to your identity Recount a time when you experienced failure Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea Describe a place/environment in which you are perfectly content Discuss an accomplishment/event that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood

25. 25 Retake ACT/SAT, if necessary Complete applications EARLY Write essay/personal statement Decide if applying Early Action or Early Decision is right for you KEEP GRADES STRONG Don’t change your schedule – You will have to notify the schools you applied to!

26. 26 Media Friends Neighbors Relatives