Senior Year & Beyond… · 2017. 8. 30. · Credits = Diploma enior redit etter (don’t...

Senior Year & Beyond…

Post-Secondary & Assessment Counselor Resource to students and families Connection to college admissions representatives Assist in the college search and application process A+ Coordinator Organize assessments given at PCH and interpret results

▪ PSAT, State ACT

Individual Meetings Available 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Contact information: Nana Prange NPrange@parkwayschools.net

Call 314-415-7915 to schedule an appointment

? Credits = Diploma Senior Credit Letter (don’t panic!)

▪ Lists all requirements and what your student still needs to earn by May

▪ Should not be a surprise –created with your student in Jan!▪ Most seniors need 1.0 English and 2.0 electives

Contact your student’s counselor (Mrs. Spraggins, Mrs. Lange, Mr. Hussmann, Mrs. Greenwood)

Questions Special circumstances Correspondence courses

What is their plan?

PCH Matriculation Last Year: 4 year College (78%)

▪ In-state = 62% ▪ Out-of-state = 38% ▪ Private colleges = 25% ▪ Public colleges = 75%

2 year College (15%)

Gap Year (2%) Military (2%) Employment or Other (3%)

93%

Research Apply Complete and submit applications Request transcripts Send official test scores Make arrangements for other required materials

(recommendation letters and/or forms) Assess finances and funding options Complete the FAFSA (and CSS Profile, if necessary) October Submit scholarship applications Ongoing

Wait for decisions… (Weeks? Months?) Evaluate all options available Final decision made May 1 Campus orientations Summer Move to college next August

MON

Still needing to decide where to apply?

On-campus visits College rep visits to PCH or STL area

Upcoming visits are listed in Family Connection

College Fairs

Parkway Fair – 9/18 @ Queeny Park (6-8 pm)

National Fair – 10/22 @ SLU (1-4)

Consider majors offered Clubs/organizations available Online Research – Helpful Sites

See Handout

University of Missouri Columbia The University of Alabama

Missouri State University University of Kentucky

St. Louis Community College Miami University, Oxford

University of Kansas Missouri University of Science and Technology

Truman State University Vanderbilt University

Saint Louis University University of Colorado at Boulder

Washington University in St. Louis Loyola University Chicago

Southeast Missouri State University University of Missouri Kansas City

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Webster University

University of Missouri St. Louis Bradley University

Tulane University University of Arkansas

Maryville University University of Southern California

Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville University of California, BerkeleyIndiana University at Bloomington DePaul University

University of Central Missouri Kansas State University

University of Michigan University of Wisconsin, Madison

Purdue UniversityAll had 7+ applicants from PCH

Reach school – credentials may meet or are below published admission standards. (All “highly selective” schools should be considered a reach school for every student.)

Target school – credentials are in published range Academic safety – credentials definitely meet or

exceed published standards for the school Financial safety – school is an academic safety and

meets your financial situation

If you are planning appropriately, you should not need to apply to more than 7-8 schools.

Goal = by end of September

Make a calendar of deadlines

Create a checklist of what each school wants

Ensure all schools are in Family Connection

Is there variety in selectivity?

A backup isn’t a backup if they won’t ever go!

Early Decision

Sign contract to enroll if admitted

Restrictive Early Action

Non-binding, but guidelines for applying early elsewhere

Rolling Admission▪ look for “Priority” deadlines

Early Action Regular Decision

Majority of apps

Here is an example shared from a former senior parent:

**Other ideas to include: acceptance rate, distance from home, student body size, student:faculty ratio, average GPA/ACT, personal notes from campus visit

See Handout

Stay organized and on top of deadlines

Ask questions along the way

What colleges will use to make admissions decisions

Online Fees ($0-$75+) Waivers available for qualifying students – see counselor

Watch priority and established deadlines For both admission and scholarship consideration

Types of Applications School specific apps (Kansas, Illinois, Texas, UC system)

Common App (500+ schools)

Coalition App (100+ schools) – new last year

Multiple options (Mizzou, Indiana, Bradley, Truman) Dual “Credit” v Dual “Enrollment” - never attended college Proofread before submitting. Spell-check isn’t enough!

Level of success after 6 semesters GPA (weighted, recalculated, core only) Rank – Parkway does not rank! (0 out of 0) Course selection – meet requirements by May Rigor (AP, dual credit) Senior year counts! Maintaining rigor, level of success, and fulfilling

admission requirements

Midyear grades (January)

Final transcript (May)

ACT ACT plus Writing SAT SAT Subject Tests AP Exams COMPASS – Community College TOEFL – International Applicants

Test Optional Schools? List is growing each year (850+) fairtest.org

actstudent.org

Superscore?

collegboard.org

Schools with calculated (“Guaranteed”) admission requirements

You’re likely done! (App, transcript, test scores)

Mizzou, MO State, SEMO, KU, Arkansas…

Schools with more competitive admissions processes (“Holistic review”)

Lots still to do!

Wash U, Tulane, Michigan, Stanford…

9th-12th grade Clubs, activities, organizations Honors, awards Employment Community service Leadership positions Family responsibilities

Use for admissions/scholarship applications

Zeemee – video resume – tell your story!

Some selective universities want to specifically offer admission to students who will accept

Show that they are the top choice by Applying early

Scheduling an official campus visit

Making multiple (thoughtful) contacts

Getting to know the rep for PCH (local fairs, high school visits, evening events in STL)

Current perspectives Speak of character, academic achievements and

potential for collegiate success and community engagement

Core teacher(s) and/or counselor Ask in person – don’t just email or assume it will happen Follow up as deadlines approach

Outside/additional recommenders Coaches, research mentors, community leaders, employers

Give at least 3 weeks notice (provide reminders) FERPA – colleges want to know that the letters have

remained confidential Encourage your student to write thank you notes

Common App forms are automatically required for Common App schools

Student requests from counselor Could be their alpha-assigned counselor or me

Student completes the “Counselor Recommendation Survey” in Family Connection if they want a full letter (not just forms)

Counselor must sign off on any Early Decision contracts, as well

Should be student’s voice Watch for signs of too much help/editing

Room of anonymous essays - - could you identify which one was written by your child?

Caution them from just repeating information already shared in application and/or resume

Should stay positive - - even if referencing a traumatic event, focus on the triumph

Remain on topic (them!) - - be sure the question has been answered

Some colleges ask students to write about why they have chosen to apply to their institution - - this cannot be generic!

Research is critical to answer this question Exposure during campus visits

Conversations with admissions reps

Discussions with peers who attend

Knowing specific classes you are excited to take

Which clubs/activities on campus are you eager to join Don’t say that you want to attend their school only

because you love their sports team!!

Be prepared to answer and ask questions Dress nicely Research the college prior to meeting Answer to the best of your ability Be ready to talk about yourself Avoid one-word responses Bring your resume Turn off your cell Follow up with hand-written thank you note

Div I or II Register with NCAA Clearinghouse Check requirements for eligibility

▪ Scale using core GPA and sum ACT▪ Geometry B is not an approved course for

NCAA eligibility

Send official test scores from testing agency Request transcript

If they aren’t being contacted by college coaches… http://new.berecruited.com

May not go on official school visit until registered!

Portfolios

Auditions

Deadlines!

May some times consider a special talent for admission even if non-degree seeking

Mizzou – will not accept test scores from PCH; no rec letters or essays; application date no longer used to determine housing selection priority (watch for housing contract in Nov)

KU, Illinios, UC schools – do not request transcript - - self report grades now; want only final transcript (in May) if you choose to attend

Mizzou, Truman, Indiana & Wisconsin – accepts Common App or school app, so you must indicate in FC which you are using

Be cautious of invitations from colleges to apply -- are you a competitive applicant for that school?

Colleges performing “holistic reviews” = no guarantee for anyone Colleges have budgets and run out of money; more likely to be

admitted and awarded scholarships if you apply earlier Admission decisions can be very confusing Universities have annual “agendas” or strategic plans that are not

usually public knowledge If the college is tracking demonstrated interest, this is a very

subjective data point Selective universities do not have to provide financial incentives –

the “reward” is being admitted There are colleges who invite students to apply and then deny them Some colleges will admit wealthier students despite a more

marginal academic record

How will we pay for this?

www.fafsa.gov

Use this site ONLY! Applying is FREE.

Use the 4caster tool to determine potential

aid

Apply for your FSA ID now (fsaid.ed.gov)

Electronic signature for you and your student, so you will

both need ID

FAFSA will become available on October 1.

Use income information from 2016 to complete.

COA = Cost of Attendance

EFC = Expected Family Contribution Made up of the amount the parents “can” pay from their

income and assets + the amount the student can contribute from earnings plus savings account(s) + any amount that is being contributed as a non-repayable gift from any source.

The student and parents are responsible for paying what they can; financial aid is intended to supplementsuch efforts, not substitute for them.

Schools use your EFC (Expected Family Contribution) to prepare financial aid packages (grants, loans, work-study) to help meet your financial need.

If you have unusual circumstances that affect your financial situation, contact the college’s financial aid office to discuss.

Custodial Parent is responsible for filling out the FAFSA▪ Defined as the parent with whom the child has lived the most during the past

12 months

▪ If equal living, then the parent who provided the most financial support during the past 12 months

Any child support and/or alimony received from the non-custodial parent must be included.

If the custodial parent is remarried, then the stepparent must report their income and assets, as well.

Students must be U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens to receive federal studentfinancial aid and state grants

More detailed information available at https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/eligibility/non-us-citizens

College Scholarship Service Utilized by several hundred private

institutions. Use institutional methodology which differs

from the calculation performed by the federal government.

The CSS collects data and sends it directly to the college.

student.collegeboard.org/css-financial-aid-profile

School specific scholarships

Admission application or separate application?

Local

Scholarship list in Family Connection

Scholarship Central

National

National Search in Family Connection (Sallie Mae)

See handout (“Helpful Websites”)▪ Create a separate email account for use on these sites

PCH Financial Aid Night

PCH Theater

September 13 from 6:30-8 pm

The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis

www.sfstl.org

Enroll Now Requirements

Cumulative unweighted GPA of 2.5

95% attendance

50 hours tutoring (may include up to 25 Comm Serv)

Proficient or Advanced on Alg 1 EOC

Behavior/Citizenship (no major suspensions)

Scholarship Up to 6 semesters of tuition at any MO Comm Coll

May use this summer at STLCC for 2 free classes!

Some offers at MO 4 yr universities (Truman, MO State)

Going out of state, but wanting in-state tuition?? Not as common as you’d hope! Look for “Non-Resident” scholarships

Examples: KU (must apply by Nov 1 and have 24 ACT and 3.25)

Arkansas, Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi – value of scholarship tied to ACT and/or GPA

Murray State – tuition calculated by looking at average in-state tuition for Missouri

Some Illinois public schools (SIU-Carbondale, SIU-Edwardsville, Western Ill, Eastern Ill, Illinois State) – automatic if admitted

Where will they go?!

Admit Accept admission Deferred admission (postpone for one year)

Wait listed – not an offer of admission. You are admissible provided there is room, but don’t count on it! They will notify you no later than August 1st.

Deferred Decision – more information is needed to make final decision. New test scores? Midyear transcript?

Deny

Have conversations with financial aid offices Complete housing application Submit enrollment & housing deposits

▪ Check the refund policy

Compare offers and make final decision by May 1st

Inform all other colleges of your choice and asked to be removed from the enrollment list

Inquire about college course placement exams Register for a summer orientation Send final transcripts

▪ PCH in May

▪ Dual-credit (UMSL, MO Bap, MO State) in June

May be first time in their lives they have been told “no” about anything major

Hard not to take personally Many tie their admissions decisions to their

personal worth Talk through how they are feeling Explore and evaluate other options

Much of the disappointment can be decreased if they have a fantastic plan B!

What should you do now?

Resume builder Testive – ACT and SAT

prep (FREE!) Career searches Interest & personality

inventories

College visits Historical acceptance

data Scholarships Web resources

Check for resources Presentations Link to current trends and conversations

about college admissions

Central High Counseling

Senior Class

Follow us on Twitter so you don’t miss out on important dates, scholarships or events!

@PCH_Counseling

FREE program to help Parkway families on their college journey

Volunteers assist with:

identifying best college fit

selecting colleges to which you want to apply

preparing your applications and essays

Explore the program and sign up for a mentor at Mentors4College.org

Tips & Tricks Seminar

PCH Theater

September 5 or October 25

7-8 pm

A few words from Lois & Dave

Lois & Dave Zuckerman

Mentors4College.org

Mentors4College@gmail.com

314-434-3232

“College is a match to be made, not a prize to be won.”

-Frank Sachs, Former President NACAC

Question to ask: It is a good fit academically, socially and financially?