1. College Search The Journey to Tomorrowland

2. Benchmarks and CCR Benchmark refers the ACT score that predicts you will be successful in college. College Career Readiness (CCR) refers to students that have met the benchmark score on the ACT in English, Math, and Reading. If you do not meet benchmarks……. Could impact college admissions Might have to take remedial classes in college --$$$ and no credit Can take COMPASS (English, Math or Reading) and/or KYOTE (Math only)

3. ACT National Test Dates for the 2015-2016 School Year Test Date Registration DeadlineLate Fee Required October 24, 2015September 18, 2015September 19-October 2 December 12, 2015November 6, 2015November 7-20 February 6, 2016January 8, 2016January 9-15 April 9, 2016 March 4, 2016March 5-18 June 11, 2016May 6May 7-20 *Some colleges and universities may require the ACT writing Test. Fee Waivers are available in the Guidance Office for qualified students.

4. ACT Even if not thinking college right after high school, you will no doubt score better as a high school student testing than an adult later in your life Use Career Cruising’s Method Test Prep to review

5. College Search: Career Cruising is a web based career and college exploration program which you can access at home, school, or a public library. Career Cruising can be used to search for colleges and scholarships. The ILP is a graduation requirement and must be 100% complete by May 1, 2016.

6. College Applications: There is often a fee required when you apply to a school. Fee waivers are available for qualifying students. Please see your Counselor for a waiver. It is your responsibility to obtain your college applications. Nearly all schools now have on-line applications. If you need assistance completing college applications, please see your counselor. If your application requires a counselor page, print and submit it to your Counselor.

7. Requesting Transcripts: Colleges, Universities and Scholarship Committees require a high school transcript from applicants. OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT: Transcripts are no longer sent through the Dixie Heights Guidance Office. All transcripts are now sent through the Parchment Service. Students will need to create an account at parchment.com/register. Once students have opened an account, they can request that transcripts be sent to identified colleges and universities. Please be advised that Parchment has a service charge applied to transcript requests made after graduation.

8. Financial Aid: Tuition and fees are increasing every year. Pages 15 through 42 of your “Getting In” book covers financial aid in depth.  FAFSA: See pages 22-32 in your “Getting In” book. You can complete your FAFSA form on-line @ www.fafsa.ed.gov. A worksheet is available online to help you gather necessary financial information to complete the process. You cannot submit your FAFSA form until January 1, 2016. To receive grants, you must file the FAFSA. (The State of Kentucky often runs out of grant money by early February, so file your FAFSA as soon after January 1 st as possible.) www.fafsa.ed.gov  Contact the Financial Aid Officer at the school you choose to attend for help with financial aid. There will be a Parent Information Night on Financial Aid in Dixie’s Auditorium on Wednesday, December 9 th at 7:00.  FAFSA Workshops are be held annually at Thomas More College in January. Specific dates and times will be announced through the Dixie Dialogue. All are welcome to attend.

9. Scholarships  Information about scholarship opportunities is continuously submitted to Dixie. Please review the Senior Bulletins which are distributed at school, located on the Guidance webpage on Dixie’s website and published in the Dixie Dialogue.  Information about scholarship opportunities for specific colleges and universities can be found on their school websites.  Information about the KEES Scholarship can be found on page 26 in your “Getting In” book.  Check out Dusing’s AWESOME website.

10. What Do Most Scholarships Require? Academic merit & many others look for: GPA ACT/SAT scores Strength of Schedule Sustained involvement in school and/or community activities Sustained commitment to community service, especially beyond what NHS or Beta Club requires Key word is “Sustained”: Pick a few and CONTRIBUTE to them………….FEWER Activities but MORE Contributions! Other Scholarships o Might consider items like major, hobbies, health issues, religious affiliation, economic hardship, minorities

11. Letters of Recommendation: Request one only if the college requires it.  Compile a “RESUME” or “BRAG SHEET” about yourself to provide to the person writing your recommendation. You need to include information such as: your school and extracurricular activities; community service, work experience, awards/honors, hobbies, etc. Submit the brag sheet to your teacher(s) or counselor at least two weeks before the deadline. Remember to tell them deadline for submission. It is important that you select someone who knows you well to write the letter. Check out link in Career Cruising for great advice on how to get a good letter of recommendation.  Be aware of application deadlines!

12. Demonstrated Interest Means taking steps to let a college know you are legitimately interested in attending (This means YOU, not your mom and dad.) Contact your college admission counselor through: campus visit; college fair; lunch visit; email; actual phone call with genuine interest Apply early. Open email sent from school and actually click on action items There are no “optional” portions of an application if you are truly interested Have a good answer to the “Why this school” question

13. Miscellaneous Items Use Career Cruising, KHEAA.com, or ACT’s website for career, college and scholarship searching Attend College Fairs: Dixie Heights College Fair: October 8 th 8:00-10:00 in gym Region College Fair: October 12 th in Lexington National College Fair: November 2 nd in Louisville Visit colleges over fall break Contact Admissions Office to arrange visits Check college websites for “Preview Days” Criteria to use in your college search: Major, admission policy, location, size, type, activities, cost/financial aid

14. Trust Us! We’re Counselors!